Immediately is omitted by the original scribe of one important Greek manuscript. It is possible that this word was added later in an attempt to heighten the effect of the miracle. The UBS Committee on the Greek text believes its omission was accidental, and most translations apparently accept the word as an original part of the text.

The ability of the man to pick up his mat and walk emphasizes the completeness of the cure. This verse forms the counterpart to the mention of the thirty-eight years in verse 5.

In very few words John states the basis for the controversy that is to follow. Moffatt is literal in his rendering: “Now it was the sabbath on that day.” Though some languages employ a transliteration of Sabbath, it is most frequently translated as “rest day” or “day on which people rested.” Sometimes the matter of “resting” may be qualified by such an expression as “prescribed rest” or “ordered rest.”

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 .