Many people is literally “Many Jews.” The Romans customarily crucified condemned persons in places where they would be seen by many people. This was to serve as a warning against committing similar crimes.

In some languages it is necessary to translate not far (Greek “near”) as a spatial expression, for example, “a few hundred yards away.”

The notice was written in Hebrew Latin, and Greek is more literally “and it is written…,” reflecting Semitic style. John is the only one of the Gospels to mention the languages in which the notice was written. A literal rendering of The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek could imply a mixture of languages. It may be better to say “The notice was written three times; first in Hebrew, then in Latin, and then in Greek.”

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 .