The phrase with him is translated in a variety of ways: Revised Standard Version and Phillips “near him”; Jerusalem Bible “who were present”; New English Bible “in his company”; New American Bible “around him”; Moffatt “beside him.”
The question raised by some Pharisees expects the answer “No.” They do not believe they are blind.
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 .
