Deeply moved translates the same verb rendered was touched in verse 33. In the former passage the verb is connected with the noun phrase “in spirit,” while in this verse it is connected with “in himself.” Although these are different terms, their meaning is the same. As indicated in verse 33, the sense of this verb seems to be that of “anger.” But it is difficult to know how an expression of “anger” could be meaningfully combined with what follows, or even with what precedes. Since the cause for this emotion is not indicated, a rendering indicating “anger” could be misleading. Accordingly, most translations emphasize the intensity, rather than the precise nature of the emotion.

In Greek, verse 38 is two sentences, which Good News Translation makes into one. The place where Lazarus was buried is described as a cave with a stone placed at the entrance. The Greek phrase which Good News Translation renders at the entrance is ambiguous. It may mean “on it,” in which case the shaft of the burial tomb was vertical. Or it may mean “against it,” in which case the shaft was horizontal. Commentators are divided in their opinions, but the weight of evidence seems to favour a horizontal cave. In either case, the purpose of the stone was primarily to keep animals from entering the tomb and devouring the body. A stone placed at the entrance may often be best translated “a stone covering the opening to the cave” or “with a large stone covering the hole of the cave.”

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 .