Look is translated “and there he is” in several translations (for example, Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible); it represents an attempt to render two Greek particles (kai ide) which are used to indicate surprise and emphasis. Both Luther and La Sainte Bible: Nouvelle version Segond révisée have the equivalent of “and look,” which is fairly close to a literal translation of the Greek.

In public translates the same expression as well known in verse 4.

And they say nothing against him! is literally “and they are saying nothing to him.” In such a context “to him” may easily have the force of against him, as in Good News Translation. If the exegesis suggested in the previous verse is correct, they of this verse refers to the Jewish authorities of the preceding verse. The point is not that nobody said anything, but that the Jewish authorities did not say anything.

The question raised by the people, Can it be that they really know that he is the Messiah? expresses a degree of doubt or hesitation. Can it be…? may be expressed in some languages as “Is it possible…?” Such a possibility must often be expressed as someone’s thought, for example, “Do you think that…?” or “Do you imagine that…?”

The Messiah is literally “the Christ.” In the present context it is used as an equivalent of the technical Jewish term Messiah (see 1.41).

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 .