Afterward translates the same expression of time that is rendered after this in 5.1. It does not imply “immediately afterward.” For languages which require a more specific indication of the lapse of time, an expression designating “later that day” or “within the next day or so” may be used. It would certainly be wrong to suggest that a much longer period of time had elapsed.

And said is literally “and said to him,” but see verses 7 and 11. The context makes it apparent that Jesus is addressing the man.

In the Temple is the translation favored by most, but New American Bible has “in the Temple precincts.” Temple is the same word used in 2.14 (see the comments there).

Listen is merely an English idiomatic way of expressing the Greek idiom (ide, literally “behold”), used for the purpose of drawing attention to something (see 1.29). Moffatt renders Listen, you are well now by “See, you are well and strong.” A more satisfactory equivalent of Listen is “Pay attention” or “Hear what I am telling you.”

Jesus’ command and warning, so stop sinning or something worse may happen to you, should not be taken to imply that Jesus was saying that the man’s illness was caused by his sins. Evidently the man had been lame since birth. Stop sinning may be rendered “cease your sinning” or “no longer sin.”

It is difficult in some languages to translate literally something worse may happen to you. This expression may require complete recasting, for example, “or you may suffer even worse” or “or your suffering may be even more.”

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 .