Guards is the same word used in verse 32, and this verse refers back to that verse. If John’s chronology is exact, this verse describes what took place on the last day of the festival. The last time reference to verse 37 comes in verse 14: The festival was nearly half over. This reference suggests that there was a lapse of four days between the time that the guards were sent out to arrest Jesus (verse 32) and the last … day of the festival (verse 37) when they returned (verse 45). However, throughout this chapter it appears that John was more interested in the continuity of thought than in strict chronological sequence; the complexities of time sequence were obviously not of as much a concern to him as they may be to some modern readers.

The subject and object of the verb asked are actually ambiguous in Greek (literally “and those ones said to them”), but most translations clear up this ambiguity. In some languages the chief priests and Pharisees asked them may be better rendered as a passive, for example, “The guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees and were asked by them.” One may also say “The guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees; these asked the guards.”

In some languages it is necessary to be precise about the terms used for “bringing.” In this context it may be necessary to translate Why did you not bring him? as “Why did you not lead him along” or “… force him to come with you?” A term which may mean “to carry” should be avoided.

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 .