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John 1:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.
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Interpretation

Jesus teaches a overcomes world that is worked out in study and play in John 1:4—look for "world" and "whatever". Align overcomes world in the use of resources—season power with mercy.

Context

John speaks here as gospel narrative writing, developing overcomes world. Read in John 1, its force becomes clearer. Listen for “world” alongside “whatever”.

Authorship & Historical Background

Long‑standing tradition credits John to John the Apostle. Modern scholarship on John sees Tradition ties it to John’s circle; narrative differs from the Synoptics.. Scholars commonly date John AD 90–100. John seems aimed at Johannine circles.. Signs become windows into shared life with God. Signs and discourses create a distinct theological portrait.

More details
Traditional:John the Apostle
Modern scholarship:Johannine community; final redaction distinct from Synoptics.
Date:AD 90–100
Audience:Johannine circles.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in over 5,800 manuscripts, more than any other surviving ancient work. Early papyri from the 2nd-3rd centuries like P46, P66, P75 provide text within 100–150 years of composition. Major uncial codices (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, 4th century) contain complete or near-complete texts. The Byzantine text family represents the majority of later manuscripts. Textual variants exist but are mostly minor: word order, articles, spelling. No central Christian doctrine depends on any disputed text. Modern critical editions compare all manuscript families to determine the most likely original reading.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46
Cross References3
  • Psalms 27:1
    Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
    CuratedYahweh is my light and salvation (Ps 27:1)
  • John 8:12
    Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
    CuratedJesus the light of the world (John 8:12)
  • John 12:46
    I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.
    CuratedLight came so none remain in darkness (John 12:46)