addition to Mark 6:28

In Seri “The woman just wanted to be sure John died” is added to the verse. Without it the head served on a tray implied cannibalism. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

complete verse (Mark 6:28)

Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 6:28:

  • Uma: “The head he brought and put on a tray and offered it to the young woman, and the young woman gave it to her mother.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then he brought his head placed on a tray and gave it to the girl. So-then it was also given by the girl to her mother.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And the head of John was placed on a plate and brought by the soldier, and he gave it to the girl, and the girl gave the head to her mother.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then he put it on a plate and took it to the young-lady who went and gave it to her mother.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “The head was placed on a plate and given to the girl. And then she gave it to her mother.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Mark 6:27 – 6:28

Exegesis:

aposteilas … epetaxen ‘sending … ordered,’ ‘sent and ordered’: the sense is ‘sent with orders’ (Goodspeed, Moffatt, Translator’s New Testament).

epitassō (cf. 1.27) ‘give orders,’ ‘command.’

spekoulatora (only here in the N.T.) ‘courier,’ ‘scout,’ and, by extension of the meaning, ‘executioner’ (a loan-word from the Latin speculator).

Translation:

It is important that the sequence of events in the first clause not be confused, for a literal translation into some languages would make the text mean that Herod first sent off a soldier and then gave the orders. This may be recast in such instances to read ‘the king sent off a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head,’ or ‘the king gave orders to a soldier of the guard and sent him off to bring John’s head.’

His must in several languages be made more specific, since the reference is back in verse 25.

Beheaded is simply ‘cut off his head,’ and if the receptor language requires an indication of instrument, a ‘sword’ is most likely.

Brought is ‘carried,’ but in some languages there a number of words for ‘carrying’ depending on the type of object and how it is carried. The term chosen must fit this type of context.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of Mark. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1961. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .