This verse may be more literally translated “But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’ ” (Revised Standard Version). The restructuring of Good News Translation is designed to bring the focus of the verse on the words of Jesus (Don’t be afraid … it is I!) rather than on the introductory statement Jesus told them. The tense of the verb rendered Don’t be afraid implies that the disciples were already frightened when Jesus spoke to them, and it may therefore be translated “Stop being afraid” or “… being frightened.”

It is I may be variously expressed in different languages, for example, “I am the one who is speaking” or “I’m the one here” or “you are looking at me” or “I am Jesus.”

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 .