Then he asked them is literally “therefore (oun) Jesus says to them” The English discourse structure does not demand the inclusion of the proper name “Jesus,” since he was mentioned by name in verse 4.

The Greek term paidia, rendered here young men, is used elsewhere in John’s Gospel only twice. In 4.49 it is translated child by Good News Translation, and in 16.21 it is rendered baby. The form is perhaps best taken as a colloquialism such as might be used in addressing a group of fishermen. Moffatt, Phillips, and Barclay translate “lads,” while Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible render “friends.” “Children” (Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Goodspeed) is pushing the literal meaning too far and does not suit the present context.

Haven’t you caught anything? is translated “Have you caught anything?” by Phillips, New English Bible and Jerusalem Bible (Barclay “have you caught any fish?”). Though the Greek form of the question expects a negative answer, this force should not be emphasized here (but note Anchor “you haven’t caught anything to eat, have you?”). The verb translated caught by Good News Translation and others is literally “have” (Moffatt “have you got anything?”; Revised Standard Version “have you any fish?”).

The Greek word rendered anything, “anything to eat” (so also New American Bible), and “fish” is prosphagion. It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament or in the Septuagint, and it is rare in other Greek literature. Although the etymology of the word suggests the meaning “something to eat,” it is disputed just how it was used. Some maintain that it had the specific meaning “fish.” In the present context this meaning seems required, since the disciples were fishing for a living and not just for their breakfast. The meaning “fish” is implicit in Good News Translation‘s caught anything.

Not a thing is literally “No,” which Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders “Not one fish.” The translation should reflect colloquial usage. A literal translation of Not a thing could suggest that the net was completely empty, which is not very likely. It would be possible to say “We haven’t caught a fish” or “… a single fish.”

They answered is more literally “they answered him,” but in the context “him” is clearly implied and need not be expressed explicitly.

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 .