They is obviously a reference to the many Jewish authorities of verse 42 who believed in Jesus.

Loved … rather than is rendered “loved … more than” by some translators. This idea is expressed as “cared more for … than” by Goodspeed and “preferred … to” by Moffatt and New English Bible. New English Bible is somewhat more sophisticated in its language: “For they valued their reputation with men rather than the honor which comes from God.”

The word rendered approval by Good News Translation is literally “glory.” It is obvious that the reference here is to the approval or praise that comes from men or from God. It may be necessary to restructure expressions involving loved and approval, for example, “They wanted men to praise them more than they wanted God to praise them” or “They wanted very much to have people say, ‘We like you.’ They were not so anxious to have God say, ‘I like you.’ ”

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 .