Basically there are two problems of exegesis in the translation of this verse. First, do the words at this refer to what precedes (that is, that he is the Son of Man), or to what follows (the role of the Son of Man in the resurrection of the dead)? Most scholars today take these words as a reference to what follows. In most languages it is impossible to be ambiguous about the reference of this. One must either say “Do not be surprised at what I have just said to you” or “Do not be surprised at what I am going to say” or “… to these words which follow.”

A second problem revolves around the meaning of the Greek word hoti, the first word of the second clause in this verse. In Good News Translation this word is not translated. In some translations it is rendered “for” (Revised Standard Version, for example, “for the hour is coming…”). If taken in the sense of “for” or “because,” there is a causative connection between the two clauses. Most modern translations appear to follow this exegesis, because it gives cumulative force to the argument and seems to make better sense in the context. However, it is possible to take the Greek word hoti in the sense of “that.” The second clause would then explain the content of this. If this exegesis is chosen, the following translation may result: “Do not be surprised that the time is coming….” However, the context better suits the first possibility.

All the dead is more literally rendered by New American Bible “all those in their tombs,” but the reference is clearly to the dead. New English Bible translates “all who are in the grave.” In earlier editions of Good News Translation the phrase “in the graves” was included in this verse. But in the 4th edition the phrase is omitted, because of difficulties in translation. If “in the graves” is translated as a restrictive phrase, it would imply that the dead who are not in their graves (for example, persons who died accidental deaths and therefore were not buried) would not hear the voice of the Son of Man. Obviously, that is not intended, and therefore it is necessary in many translations to omit “in the graves,” as in the present edition of Good News Translation. The second part of verse 28 may then be translated “there will be an hour when all who are dead will hear my voice.” As in earlier verses, it may be necessary to change his to “my,” to avoid a misinterpretation of a third person reference to the first person.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .