One of the Pharisees there was Nicodemus represents a rather radical but necessary restructuring in Good News Translation. Note, for example, the possible ambiguity in Revised Standard Version: “Nicodemus … who was one of them, said to them.” Some persons might understand Revised Standard Version to indicate that Nicodemus was one of the crowd that was under God’s curse (verse 49), rather than that he was one of the authorities or one of the Pharisees mentioned in verse 48. Other translations reflect this same ambiguity. Note, for example, New English Bible “ ‘… As for this rabble, which cares nothing for the Law, a curse is on them.’ Then one of their number, Nicodemus….” It is certainly preferable at this point to indicate that Nicodemus was one of the Pharisees. One may say, for example, “Nicodemus was one of the Pharisees” or “… leaders” rather than “… one of them.”

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 .