The Gospel of Thomas Overview

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS

• Date: 150

• Claimed Author: Thomas Didymus

• Sect: Gnostic, Encratite?

• Provence: Edessa, Nag Hammadi

• Original Language: Greek

• References: Origen, Cyril of Jerusalem, the Gelasian Decree, the Stichometry of Nicephorus, Hippolytus?

• Is by far the most famous New Testament apocryphon

• Some suggest it might be linked to the Syriac Acts of Thomas

• Contains 114 supposed sayings of Jesus

  • Which some have argued supports the idea of the hypothetical source document for the Synoptic Gospels titled ‘Q’, and which would also be only sayings

  • While there are ascetic and esoteric sayings that are clearly Gnostic, not all sayings are

  • Scholars argue that some of the unique sayings probably did go back to Jesus

pg. 135-147 & https://www.gospels.net/thomas

1. ‘Gnosis’ leads to salvation.

4. “The first being last and last being first” is about humbly seeking knowledge from others.

7. ~ “You are what you eat.”

8. An actually possible saying of Jesus about giving up everything one has for the real thing.

13. Jesus reveals some secret 3 words to Thomas that he can’t even reveal to the other disciples.

22. Potentially sexist and very unintuitive.

28. Everyone is naturally drunk and must attempt to make themselves sober (by coming to ‘gnosis’).

29. The body is like filth that the soul is dirtied with.

31. A possible saying of Jesus similar to what’s in the Canonical Gospels.

32. A possible saying of Jesus similar to what’s in the Canonical Gospels.

37. Perhaps exhortation to not be ashamed of anything.

43b. A possible saying of Jesus about Jews loving some result or idea but hating the one that brings it about, or vice versa.

47. A possible saying of Jesus similar to what’s in the Canonical Gospels.

53. A possible saying of Jesus about God’s desire being found in how God has nature work.

61. Jesus indulges in whatever pleasures he wants: entering into people’s places, sleeping with them, and taking and eating their food.

67. To really win in life, one needs to know oneself.

82. A possible saying of Jesus about his dangerous but life-giving nature.

91. A possible saying of Jesus similar to what’s in the Canonical Gospels.

96. The kingdom of heaven is hidden inside oneself, and they need to find it by introspection.

101. A possible saying of Jesus similar to what’s in the Canonical Gospels.

114. Women must be made men to enter into the kingdom of heaven!