Imagine discovering a collection of words spoken by Jesus that had been buried in the Egyptian desert for over 1,600 years. There is no narrative of the crucifixion, no stories of miracles, and no account of the resurrection. Instead, there are simply 114 cryptic, poetic, and often mind-bending statements. These are the Gospel of Thomas sayings, a text that challenges everything we think we know about early Christianity.

Since its discovery in the Nag Hammadi library in 1945, this “Fifth Gospel” has captivated scholars and spiritual seekers alike. Unlike the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which focus on the life and death of Jesus, the Gospel of Thomas focuses entirely on his wisdom. Consequently, exploring the Gospel of Thomas sayings is not just an academic exercise; it is an invitation to view the teachings of Christ through a radically different lens—one that emphasizes inner knowledge (gnosis) over external dogma.

Today, we will dive deep into these ancient logia (sayings). As we explore specific examples, we will uncover themes of non-duality, the divine spark within, and the kingdom as a present reality. Furthermore, we will see how these sayings connect to the broader world of Gnosticism and how they contrast with the familiar verses of the New Testament.

The Nature of the Text: Wisdom Over History

To understand the Gospel of Thomas sayings, one must first understand the genre of the text. It is a “sayings gospel,” similar to the hypothetical “Q Source” that scholars believe Matthew and Luke used. However, the theology found here is distinct.

The very first saying sets the tone for the entire collection:

“And he said, ‘Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death.’” — Gospel of Thomas, Logion 1

Here, salvation is not achieved through faith in a sacrifice, but through intellectual and spiritual interpretation. Therefore, the Gospel of Thomas sayings are presented as riddles or keys. If you can unlock their meaning, you unlock eternal life. This emphasis on hidden wisdom is a hallmark of the Gnostic tradition, which viewed ignorance, not sin, as the primary problem of humanity.

For a deeper dive into the mystical framework of this text, The Mystical Teachings of the Gospel of Thomas offers essential context.

The Kingdom is Here and Now

One of the most revolutionary aspects of the Gospel of Thomas sayings is their perspective on the Kingdom of God. In the canonical Gospels, the Kingdom is often depicted as a future event—something coming at the end of time. Conversely, Thomas presents the Kingdom as a current reality that goes unnoticed.

Consider Logion 113:

“His disciples said to him, ‘When will the kingdom come?’ Jesus said, ‘It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying “here it is” or “there it is.” Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it.’”

This saying shifts the focus from eschatology (the end times) to psychology and perception. According to the Gospel of Thomas sayings, paradise is not a place you go to after you die; it is a frequency you tune into while you are alive. Consequently, the spiritual task is to cleanse one’s perception to see the divinity inherent in the world.

This theme of present realization is echoed in The Relevance of the Nag Hammadi Library Today, which discusses how ancient wisdom addresses modern existential crises.

The Divine Spark Within

Perhaps the most famous—and controversial—of the Gospel of Thomas sayings are those that equate the believer with the divine. While orthodox Christianity emphasizes the gap between the Creator and the creature, Thomas bridges it.

In Logion 70, Jesus says:

“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”

Furthermore, Logion 77 takes this identification even further, identifying Jesus with the light in all things:

“I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there.”

These Gospel of Thomas sayings suggest a form of “panentheism”—the idea that God is in everything. Moreover, they imply that the divine light is trapped within the material world and within the human soul, waiting to be liberated through recognition. This concept is central to understanding Gnostic Teachings in the Gospel of Thomas.

Comparative Study: Thomas vs. The Synoptics

To fully appreciate the uniqueness of the Gospel of Thomas sayings, we must compare them with their parallels in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). Often, Thomas contains a “twist” that changes the meaning entirely.

Parable / Saying	Canonical Version (Matthew/Luke)	Gospel of Thomas Version
The Lost Sheep	God leaves the 99 to save the 1 sinner out of love/pity.	The shepherd loves the 1 distinct sheep more because it is “large” (Logion 107).
The Sower	Focuses on the reception of the word (soil types).	Focuses simply on the scattering of the seed and the inevitable yield (Logion 9).
The Mustard Seed	A symbol of the Kingdom’s growth from small to large.	A symbol of the “unshakeable” nature of the Kingdom rooted in the self (Logion 20).

In the case of the Lost Sheep, the Gospel of Thomas sayings interpret the “one” not as a sinner needing rescue, but as the Gnostic elect—the one who has attained knowledge and is therefore greater than the ninety-nine who are merely ordinary. This elitism is a common feature of Gnostic literature.

For a broader comparison of how these texts portray the Messiah, Gospel of Thomas vs Gospel of John: A Study in Contrasting Christologies provides a detailed analysis.

Non-Duality: Making the Two One

A recurring theme in the Gospel of Thomas sayings is the concept of “making the two one.” This is often interpreted as transcending binary oppositions—male and female, inside and outside, spirit and matter.

Logion 22 contains a striking dialogue:

“Jesus saw infants being suckled. He said to his disciples, ‘These infants being suckled are like those who enter the kingdom.’ They said to him, ‘Shall we then, as children, enter the kingdom?’ Jesus said to them, ‘When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below… then you will enter [the kingdom].’”

Here, spiritual maturity is described as a return to the primordial unity. Just as an infant does not distinguish between subject and object, the enlightened Gnostic transcends the fragmented nature of the material world. This idea of reintegration is crucial for understanding the Gnostic goal of returning to the Pleroma (Fullness).

Interestingly, this theme also touches on gender. The controversial Logion 114 speaks of making Mary “male” so she can enter the Kingdom. While jarring to modern ears, in the symbolic language of antiquity, this meant transforming the “female” (associated with matter and division) into the “male” (associated with spirit and unity). This difficult passage is unpacked in Gospel of Thomas Logion 114: Analyzing the Controversial Saying About Mary.

Why These Sayings Were “Lost”

If the Gospel of Thomas sayings offer such profound wisdom, why were they excluded from the Bible? Historically, the rejection was due to both theology and usage.

1. Late Date and Authorship Although some sayings may date back to the 1st century, the text in its current form is generally dated to the mid-2nd century. Therefore, it lacked the apostolic pedigree of the four canonical Gospels.

2. Gnostic Tendencies The early Church Fathers, such as Irenaeus, argued that the Gospel of Thomas sayings encouraged a private, intellectual salvation that bypassed the need for the Church, the sacraments, and the cross. Consequently, they viewed it as dangerous heresy.

3. The Rejection of the Body Many Gospel of Thomas sayings imply a disdain for the physical body (“Woe to the flesh that depends on the soul,” Logion 112). In contrast, orthodox Christianity affirms the goodness of creation and the physical resurrection.

For more on the historical context of these exclusions, Unveiling the Lost Gospels explores the formation of the canon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Jesus really say these things? It is a complex question. Scholars generally agree that the Gospel of Thomas contains a mix of authentic sayings (some potentially older than the canonical Gospels), modified sayings, and later Gnostic inventions attributed to Jesus.

What is the “Solitary” mentioned in Thomas? The text often refers to the “solitary” or “single one” (monachos). In the context of the Gospel of Thomas sayings, this refers to a person who is undivided in heart and mind—someone who has achieved internal unity. It is the root of the word “monk.”

Is the Gospel of Thomas anti-woman? On the surface, Logion 114 seems misogynistic. However, within the symbolic framework of the text, “female” represents the lower, material world, while “male” represents the higher, spiritual realm. The text advocates for spiritual transformation, not necessarily the degradation of biological women.

Where can I read the full text? The complete text is available online through various academic archives, such as the Gnostic Society Library. Reading the Gospel of Thomas sayings directly allows you to grapple with their riddles firsthand.

Conclusion: The Challenge of the Secret Words

The Gospel of Thomas sayings remain a spiritual Rorschach test. For some, they are a window into the original, mystical teachings of Jesus before they were institutionalized. For others, they are a fascinating but ultimately distorted echo of the early Christian voice.

Regardless of where one stands theologically, these sayings challenge us to look deeper. They demand that we move beyond passive belief and engage in active seeking. As Jesus says in Logion 2: “Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the all.”

Ultimately, unlocking the Gospel of Thomas sayings is not about solving a puzzle; it is about solving the mystery of the self.

Check out the author’s book here: The Gospel of Thomas.