Jesus meant that Lazarus had died is literally “but Jesus had spoken concerning his death.” Good News Translation translates the noun phrase “concerning his death” by a verb phrase and makes the reference to Lazarus explicit. Jerusalem Bible translates “The phrase Jesus used referred to the death of Lazarus.” To translate Jesus meant that Lazarus had died, it may be necessary in some languages to introduce direct discourse, for example, “What Jesus was really trying to say was, ‘Lazarus has died’ ” or “What Jesus’ words really meant was, ‘Lazarus has died.’ ” In some languages it is possible to speak of “Lazarus’ death” and to translate “Jesus was really talking about Lazarus’ death.”

Moffatt, Phillips, New English Bible, and Good News Translation all translate John’s phrase natural sleep. In Revised Standard Version this is rendered as “taking rest in sleep,” and in New American Bible “sleep in the sense of slumber.” The Greek phrase that John uses is unusual, but its nearest meaning in English is natural sleep.

The contrast between what Jesus meant and what the disciples thought he meant must be indicated in some languages by an adversative conjunction, such as “but,” or “on the other hand.” The final clause may then be translated “but the disciples thought he was talking about just sleeping” or, in the form of direct discourse, “but his disciples thought, ‘He is just talking about sleep.’ ” or “… He is just saying that Lazarus is sleeping.”

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 .