Patristic evidence in the new edition of the Vetus Latina Iohannes

Following an introduction to the principles and procedures followed in producing the new Vetus Latina edition of John, the patristic evidence in the first fascicle (John 1:1-4:48) is compared with Old Latin codices. Most readings found in citations are already preserved in gospel manuscripts, but others are without parallel. These require careful investigation before they can be attributed to a version no longer extant. A small proportion appear to be renderings from an otherwise lost source, but others are harmonisations, paraphrases or altered forms typical of quoted material. Latin authors who also used Greek texts, such as Tertullian and Marius Victorinus, seem to stand outside the main tradition. Translations of Greek writings often feature ad hoc renderings of biblical citations. The variety of these independent versions highlights the overall consistency of the Latin tradition of John.