This word is used here to mark a break in the main storyline. Here John tells about a new group of people that has come to Bethany from Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
This implies that many of the Jewish people were trusting in Jesus as the Son of God. AT: "were putting their trust in Jesus" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])