In Greek this sentence, like the last sentence of verse 3, is introduced by a particle (de) which often indicates a transition in a Greek narrative. However, it may well be that in neither of these instances does John indicate a transition. Many translations do not indicate the presence of this particle by a particular word in the text. In verse 4 New English Bible translates “At this,” while Jerusalem Bible translates “Then.”

It may be more natural in some languages to introduce the proper name “Judas Iscariot” first and then identify Judas as “one of Jesus’ followers.”

In Greek the verb said is actually in the present tense (“says”), and it appears as the first word in the verse. In English it is more natural to have the verb of speaking immediately precede the words it introduces, and so in Good News Translation, as in most other English translations, said appears as the last word in the verse.

One of Jesus’ disciples is literally “one of his disciples,” but Good News Translation employs the noun Jesus to avoid possible ambiguity.

Betray is the rendering of most translations, but New American Bible has “hand over.” The first reference to Judas as the one who would betray Jesus is found in 6.71.

The one who was going to betray him does not imply that Judas had at this point already decided to betray Jesus. It is rather a comment made by the writer, who knew the outcome of events at the time of writing.

The double apposition preceding the verb said may prove awkward in some languages. It may be necessary to introduce the information by two relative clauses, for example, “One of Jesus’ disciples, who was Judas Iscariot, and who was later going to betray Jesus, said….” It is possible also to invert certain forms, for example, “Judas Iscariot, who was one of Jesus’ disciples and who later was the one who betrayed Jesus, said….”

If the translator wishes to preserve the question in verse 5, it may be necessary to employ in verse 4 a verb meaning “asked,” rather than “said.” It may be necessary also to indicate of whom the question was asked; perhaps it was even posed to Jesus himself. However, it is probably best to make the statement of Judas a rather general one, directed to the guests, for example, “said to those there.” But in view of the nature of the following statement, it may be possible to say “explained to those there,” which would prepare the reader for the statement to follow.

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 .