It is usual with Scripture, that the historian should relate events as they were then believed by all, thus Joseph is called the father of Jesus by Mary herself. So now also Herod is said to be “exceeding sorry,” for so the guests thought, since the hypocrite bore sadness on his face, when he had joy in his heart; and he excuses the wickedness by his oath, that he might be impious under pretence of piety.
Wherefore there follows: “For his oath’s sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.”
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).