As verse 31 describes the response of the Jews to Jesus’ previous debate, so this verse describes their reaction towards the present debate. For similar passages see 7.30; 8.20,59.

John seems to indicate a miraculous escape by Jesus. The Jews have no authority over him, because his hour has not yet come.

He slipped out of their hands is literally “he went out from their hand.” New English Bible sounds rather high level, “But he escaped from their clutches.” Jerusalem Bible translates “but he eluded them” and New American Bible “but he eluded their grasp.” It would be a serious mistake in most languages to translate literally he slipped out of their hands; this could be applicable to a pot, spear, or knife, but certainly not to a person. An appropriate equivalent in some languages is “he escaped” or “he disappeared.”

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 .