bound him and put him in prison

The Greek in Mark 6:17 that is translated as “bound him and put him in prison” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with gefesselt in den Kerker werfen lassen or “had him thrown into the dungeon in shackles.”

John the Baptist

The name that is transliterated as “John (the Baptist)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language and Mexican Sign Language as “baptize” (source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. ).


“John the Baptist” in Mexican Sign Language (source: BSLM )

In German Sign Language (Catholic) it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying a Catholic baptism by sprinkling on the head.


“John” in German Sign Language (catholic), source: Taub und katholisch

In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying “shout,” referring to John 1:23. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“John” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Similarly, in French Sign Language, it is “prepare the way.” (Source: Lexique – Explications en langue des signes)

In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with the sign for leaping in the womb (see Luke 1:41) and baptism. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)


“John” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL

A question of cultural assumptions arose in Tuvan. The instinctive way to translate this name denotatively would be “John the Dipper,” but this would carry the highly misleading connotation that he drowned people. It was therefore decided that his label should focus on the other major aspect of his work, that is, proclaiming that the Messiah would soon succeed him. (Compare his title in Russian Orthodox translation “Иоанн Предтеча” — “John the Forerunner.”) So he became “John the Announcer,” which fortunately did not seem to give rise to any confusion with radio newsreaders! (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff. )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

In Noongar it is translated as John-Kakaloorniny or “John Washing” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

A new oral translation into Yao / Ciyawo, spoken in Mozambique, uses John the one who ceremoniously washes/pours water, using a term (kusingula) that “indicates a ceremonial washing or pouring of water on a person in the Yawo’s expression of Islam which can be used for an act done in repentance of sin.” (Source: Houston 2025, p. 236)

See also John the Baptist (icon) and learn more on Bible Odyssey: John the Baptist .

Herod vs. Herodias

The Greek that is transliterated in English as “Herod” and “Herodias” is translated in Southern Puebla Mixtec as “King Herod” and “the woman Herodias” to distinguish between confusingly similar names. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

John the Baptist (icon)

Following is a Syriac Orthodox icon of John the Baptist from the 18/19th century (found in the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen, Yabrud, Syria).

 
The wings are often depicted in icons of John the Baptist because of his status as a messenger. The scroll that John the Baptist holds quotes John 1:29 and reads (translated into English): “I saw and witnessed concerning him, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.’”

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

See also John the Baptist.

Herod (Antipas)

The Greek that is transliterated as “Herod (Antipas)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for king and and a sign depicting cutting off the head (of John the Baptist), referring to Matthew 14:10 et al. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Herod” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Herod Antipas .

Mark 6:17-29 in Mexican Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 6:17-29 into Mexican Sign Language with back-translations into Spanish and English underneath (note that verses 14-16 are placed at the end of this episode in Mexican Sign Language):


© La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

Retrotraducciones en español (haga clic o pulse aquí)

¿Recuerdan a Juan el Bautista? Él fue encarcelado. ¿Porqué fue?

Miren, la esposa del hermano de Rey Herodes, Felipe, era Herodías. El Rey Herodes había robado y casado Herodías.

Juan el Bautista lo había insultado (diciendo): “Es la esposa de tu hermana, es ocupada, no debes robarla y casarla, la Ley de Dios lo prohibe, lo dice una y otra vez.”

El rey había mandado a soldados para arrestar a Juan el Bautista, lo habían atado con cadenas de hierro y lo habían metido en el cárcel.

Después, por un tiempo Juan el Bautista explicaba sobre Dios y el Rey Herodes lo oía: Huy interesante. Siento miedo viendolo, ¿qué tipo de hombre es? En verdad, es justo y santo. ¿Lo acepto? Estoy dudando.

Herodías lo odiaba a Juan el Bautista quería que fue matado: ¡Qué estorbo que mi esposo conserva y protege a Juan el Bautista! Y ella esperaba.

Después, un día, por fin….. En el cumpleaños del Rey Herodes, en el mismo lugar en Galilea invitaban a gobernadores, líderes militares, y hombres superiores. Una multitud se congregaba en la casa del Rey Herodes por una fiesta, un banquete.

Mientras estaban comiendo la hija de Herodías, una jóven, vino a bailar, y todos la vieron y les gustó mucho.

El Rey Herodes lo miraba y dijo: “Tu pideme lo que quieras y te lo doy, en verdad, lo prometo. Si tú quieres parto el reino entre nosotros dos y te doy la mitad, dime lo que quieras.”

La mujer:: ‘espera un tantito’ y caminó (hacia su madre) y dijo: “Mamá, ¿cuál cosa le pido que me dé? La mamá fue: bueno, y dijo: “Dile (que quieres) Juan el Bautista decapitado.”

La mujer caminó (hacia el rey) y dijo: “Quiero pedir que Juan el Bautista sea decapitado y que me traigan su cabeza en un plato, ahorita.”

El rey se sentía angustiado y dijo a si mismo: Caray, ya dije que lo prometí de verdad, qué estorbo, y todos me vieron.

Dijo a un soldado: “Vete decapita a Juan el Bautista, pon su cabeza en un plato y traemelo.”

El soldado fue y entró el cárcel y decapitó a Juan el Bautista, puso su cabeza en un plato y lo llevó. La mujer tomó el plato y lo llevó a su mamá.

Después las personas lo chismearon hasta lejos y advertieron los discípulos de Juan el Bautista que ya había muerto y los discípulos fueron y trajeron el cuerpo de Juan el Bautista y lo enterraron.


Do you remember John the Baptist. He was put in prison. Why?

Look, the wife of the brother of King Herod, Philip, was Herodias. King Herod had stolen and married Herodias.

John the Baptist had insulted him (by saying): “She is taken as the wide of your brother, you must not steal her and marry her, the Law of God prohibits it, it says so again and again.”

The king had ordered soldiers to arrest John the Baptist and they had chained him with iron chains and had put him in prison.

Afterwards for a while John the Baptist would explain about God and King Herod would hear him: Wow, interesting, I feel afraid when I see him. What kind of man is he? Truly, he is upright and holy. Shall I accept (what he says). I am in doubt.

Herodias hated John the Baptist and wanted him killed: What a nuisance that my husband preserves and protects John the Baptist! She waited.

Afterwards, one day, finally….For King Herod’s birthday, in Galilee itself, they invited governors, military leaders and high-ranking men. A multitude came together in the house of King Herod for a feast, a banquet.

While they were eating the daughter of Herodias, a young woman, came to dance and they all watched her and liked it very much.

King Herod looked at her and said: “Ask me whatever you want and I’ll give it to you, really, I promise. If you want we will share the kingdom, I will give you half, tell me what you want.”

The woman went: ‘wait just a moment’ and she walked over (to her mother) and said: “Mother, what shall I ask that he give me?” The mother went ‘good’, and said: “You tell him (you want) John the Baptist beheaded.”

The woman walked over (to the king) and said: “I want to ask that John the Baptist is beheaded and that they bring me his head on a plate, right now.”

The king was distressed and said to himself: Ay, it’s happened, I said that I really promised, what a nuisance, everyone saw me.

He said to a soldier: “Go, and behead John the Baptist, put his head on a plate and bring it to me.”

The soldier went and entered the prison, beheaded John the Baptist, put his head on a plate and took it over. The woman received the plate and took it to her mother.

Afterwards people passed on the news far and wide and they warned the disciples of John the Baptist that he had died, and the disciples went and brought back the body of John the Baptist and buried it.

Source: La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

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Mark 6:14-16 in Mexican Sign Language >>

Mark 6:14-29 in Russian Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 6:14-29 into Russian Sign Language with a back-translation underneath:


Source: Russian Bible Society / Российское Библейское Общество

The region of Galilee. King Herod ruled there. Earlier he had captured and imprisoned the messenger John. For what reason? King Herod had a brother named Philip. Philip had a wife named Herodias. Herod stole his brother’s wife and married Herodias. The messenger John rebuked Herod directly and said, “What have you done?”

King Herod did not like this, and he put John in prison. Herodias, the king’s wife, hated John and wanted to kill him. But she could not do it because the king feared John. The king saw that John was righteous. So the king did not want to kill him, even though he put him in prison. Although John rebuked the king directly, yet the king liked to listen to John.

Some time later it was Herod’s birthday. The king had gathered many guests, men of nobility and wealth, people famous in Galilee, and military leaders. They were all feasting at the table.

The daughter of Herodias, Herod’s wife, came. She danced very beautifully. All the guests admired, and the king himself admired. The king said:

— Ask of me whatever you wish! I’ll give you everything. I promise to give you half of my kingdom.

Herodias’ daughter went to her mother and asked her:

— The king has promised me half of the kingdom. What shall I ask of him?

Herodias said:

— I want John’s head cut off. Go and demand of King Herod that John’s head be brought on a platter.

The girl went and demanded of the king:

— Bring me the head of John the messenger on a platter!

Herod was saddened. He thought:

— I wanted to preserve John’s life. But I promised before many witnesses, and I cannot cancel my promise. So the king ordered the soldiers to cut off John’s head and bring the head on a platter. The soldiers obeyed and went to the prison and cut off John’s head and brought the head on a platter. The daughter took the platter with the head and carried it to her mother.

The disciples who used to follow John the messenger heard that his head had been cut off. They came and asked for John’s body, took the body, wrapped it and buried it. After a while, King Herod heard about Jesus, because the name Jesus became known all over the neighborhood, because Jesus worked miracles, healed people, made them well. Some people said:

— This is John the messenger, who died and now is risen.

And others said:

— This is the prophet Elijah.

And others said:

— No, this is a different prophet.

They all said different things. But King Herod thought:

— I am sure that Jesus is John the messenger, whom I had executed, and now he has risen again.

Original Russian back-translation (click or tap here):

Область Галилея. Там правил царь Ирод. Ранее он схватил и посадил в тюрьму вестника Иоанна. По какой причине? У царя Ирода есть брат по имени Филипп. У Филиппа была жена по имени Иродиада. Ирод увел у брата жену и женился на Иродиаде. Вестник Иоанн прямо обличал Ирода и говорил: «Что ты сделал?!»

Царю Ироду это не нравилось, и он посадил Иоанна в тюрьму. Жена царя Иродиада ненавидела Иоанна и хотела его убить. Но это у нее не получалось, потому что царь опасался Иоанна. Царь видел, что Иоанн был праведным. Поэтому царь не хотел его убивать, хотя и посадил в тюрьму. Хотя Иоанн обличал царя прямо, однако царю нравилось слушать Иоанна.

Через какое-то время был день рождения Ирода. Царь собрал множество гостей, людей знатных и богатых, известных в Галилее, военачальников. Они все пировали за столом.

Пришла дочь Иродиады, жены Ирода. Она очень красиво танцевала. Все гости восхищались, и сам царь восхищался. Царь сказал:

— Проси у меня, что пожелаешь! Я тебе все дам. Обещаю, что подарю тебе половину моего царства.

Дочь Иродиады пошла к своей матери и спросила у нее:

— Царь обещал мне половину царства. Что мне попросить у него?

Иродиада сказала:

— Я хочу, чтобы Иоанну отрубили голову. Иди и требуй у царя Ирода, чтобы голову Иоанна принесли на блюде.

Девушка пошла и потребовала от царя:

— Принесите мне голову Иоанна-вестника на блюде!

Ирод опечалился. Он подумал:

— Я хотел сохранить жизнь Иоанна. Но я обещал перед многими свидетелями, и отменить свое обещание я не могу. И царь приказал солдатам отрубить Иоанну голову и принести голову на блюде. Солдаты повиновались, пошли в тюрьму и отрубили голову Иоанну и принесли на блюде голову. Дочь взяла блюдо с головой и понесла матери.

Ученики, которые раньше следовали за Иоанном-вестником, услышали, что ему отрубили голову. Они пришли и попросили тело Иоанна, забрали тело, запеленали и похоронили. Спустя какое-то время, царь Ирод услыхал об Иисусе, потому что имя Иисус стало известно по всей округе, ведь Иисус творил чудеса, исцелял людей, делал их здоровыми. Некоторые говорили:

— Это Иоанн-вестник, который умер, а теперь воскрес.

А другие говорили:

— Это пророк Илия.

А третьи говорили:

— Нет, это другой пророк.

Все говорили по-разному. Но царь Ирод подумал:

— Я уверен, что Иисус — это Иоанн-вестник, которого я казнил, а теперь он воскрес.

Back-translation by Luka Manevich

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Mark 6:30-44 in Russian Sign Language >>