The Greek phrase translated When Pilate heard this is taken by most translators in a temporal sense, though it maybe casual (“because of this”).

He tried to find a way to set Jesus free is more literally “he was trying to set him free.” New English Bible translates “Pilate tried hard to release him,” and Jerusalem Bible translates “Pilate was anxious to set him free.” Moffatt takes When Pilate heard this as indicating a cause, and so translates “This made Pilate anxious to release him.”

But the crowd shouted back is literally “but the Jews shouted saying.”

The Emperor’s friend is literally “a friend of Caesar.” This was an honorific title, bestowed in recognition of special service to the Emperor. Originally “Caesar” was the proper name, but by New Testament times it had become a title equivalent to Emperor, and so the basis for the Good News Translation rendering. Most translators prefer to retain “Caesar,” though Goodspeed also translates, “Emperor.”

Anyone who claims to be a king must be rendered as direct discourse in some languages, for example, “anyone who says, ‘I am a king’ ” or “… ‘I am a ruler’ ”

Is a rebel against the Emperor may often be rendered as “is rebelling against the Emperor” or “… against the great ruler.” In some languages Emperor may be expressed as “the ruler of all countries.” The role of an Emperor is that of one who rules many countries, while individual kings or governors are described as ruling over single countries.

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 .