This phrase marks a break in the main story line. Here Luke tells background information about Herod. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
# it was said by some ... and it was said ... and still others
These phrases can be stated in active form. AT: "some people said ... and others said ... and others said" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
Herod assumed that it was impossible for John to rise from the dead. This can be stated clearly. AT: "It cannot be John because I had his head cut off. So who is this man" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
Herod's soldiers would have carried out executions. AT: "I commanded my soldiers to cut off John's head" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])