The Gospel of Thomas

An apocryphal book found at Nag Hammadi attributed to Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus.

Original Language:

Coptic Egyptian

Summary:

The Gospel of Thomas is an early Christian text discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945. It is composed of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, many of which parallel those found in the canonical Gospels, but with a distinct tone and emphasis. Unlike the narrative style of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, this gospel is a collection of teachings rather than a story about Jesus’s life, death, or resurrection. It begins with the statement, “These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down,” highlighting its focus on inner knowledge and wisdom.

The central theme of the Gospel of Thomas is self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. Many of Jesus’s sayings in the text point inward, urging seekers to find the kingdom of God not in outward rituals or structures, but within themselves. Sayings like “the kingdom is inside of you and it is outside of you” and “when you know yourselves, then you will be known” reflect a mystical approach, emphasizing that divine truth is accessible through introspection and awakening to one's true nature. Salvation, in this view, comes through understanding and insight.

While most of the sayings mirror those in the New Testament, others are more cryptic or even radical. Many scholars consider the Gospel of Thomas a Gnostic-influenced work, as it focuses instead on secret knowledge (gnosis) as the path to life, rather than Jesus' death and resurrection. Though not included in the biblical canon, the Gospel of Thomas offers a profound glimpse into early, diverse understandings of Jesus's message, especially the idea that divine truth is discovered through personal experience rather than institutional religion.

Read the Full Text

Sayings 1-25

Sayings 26-50

Sayings 51-75

Sayings 76-100

Sayings 100-114

---

Liveology® creates uplifting content and products for abundant life. Shop our all natural bodycare, prayer & meditation cushions, and spiritual apparel! Create a free account for access to our wealth of thousands of articles and videos on victorious living. Thank you for your continued and growing support all over the world. Wishing you abundant life, love, joy, peace, and prosperity.