Heard this (Jerusalem Bible “heard them say this”) is literally “heard this word”; Moffatt and New English Bible render “heard that.” One may also translate “When Pilate heard what they said.”

He was even more afraid (New American Bible “he was more afraid than ever”), though it carries a comparative force in Greek, may have the meaning “he became very frightened.” However, it is more natural to see the comparative force here (so most translations). The fact that the text does not make an explicit reference to Pilate’s fears earlier in the scene presents no problem, since his reluctance to condemn Jesus (18.38; 19.4,6) may well have been motivated by fear. In some languages it will be obligatory to indicate what Pilate was afraid of. One can, of course, say “he was all the more afraid to condemn Jesus” or “… to pass judgment on Jesus.”

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 .