Gospel of Thomas
c. 60–140 AD (debated)
A collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, with no narrative framework. Some overlap with the canonical gospels; others are unique and enigmatic. No crucifixion or resurrection account.
Gnostic Texts (Nag Hammadi & Related)
Discovered primarily at Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945. These texts represent diverse early Christian and Gnostic movements that offered alternative views of creation, salvation, and the nature of God. They were considered heretical by mainstream Christianity.
16 texts in this category
Gospel of Philip
c. 3rd century AD
A Valentinian Gnostic text combining sayings, theological reflections, and sacramental teachings. Contains the famous (and debated) passage about Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
Gospel of Truth
c. 140–180 AD
Possibly written by Valentinus himself. A meditative, poetic text about salvation through knowledge (gnosis) of the Father. More homily than narrative.
Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
c. 2nd century AD
Mary Magdalene shares a private revelation from Jesus about the soul's ascent. Peter and Andrew debate whether Jesus would have entrusted such teaching to a woman.
Gospel of Judas
c. 2nd century AD
Presents Judas as Jesus' most trusted disciple who alone understood the secret teaching. Jesus asks Judas to betray him to liberate his spirit from his body.
Apocryphon of John
c. 2nd century AD
Also called the "Secret Book of John." A detailed Gnostic creation myth explaining how the material world came about through a divine error. One of the most important Gnostic texts.
Hypostasis of the Archons
c. 3rd century AD
Retells Genesis from a Gnostic perspective, portraying the creators of the material world as ignorant rulers (archons) who trap divine sparks in human bodies.
On the Origin of the World
c. 3rd–4th century AD
A comprehensive Gnostic cosmology drawing from Jewish, Christian, Greek, and Egyptian sources. Describes the origin of the world, humanity, and evil.
Trimorphic Protennoia
c. 2nd century AD
A revelation text where the divine feminine figure "First Thought" (Protennoia) descends three times into the world — as Voice, Speech, and Word.
Thunder, Perfect Mind
c. 2nd–3rd century AD
A powerful poetic monologue by a female divine figure who speaks in paradoxes: "I am the first and the last. I am the honored one and the scorned one."
The Sophia of Jesus Christ
c. 3rd century AD
A post-resurrection dialogue where Jesus reveals Gnostic cosmological secrets to his disciples, including the nature of the divine realm.
Dialogue of the Savior
c. 2nd century AD
A fragmentary dialogue between Jesus and three disciples (Matthew, Judas, and Mary) about cosmology, the soul, and escaping the material world.
Pistis Sophia
c. 3rd–4th century AD
A lengthy text where the risen Jesus teaches his disciples for eleven years. Tells the story of Sophia's fall and redemption. Not from Nag Hammadi but often grouped with Gnostic texts.
Second Treatise of the Great Seth
c. 3rd century AD
Claims to be a revelation from Christ, presenting a docetic view where Jesus was not truly crucified — someone else suffered in his place while Jesus laughed.
Apocalypse of Peter (Gnostic)
c. 3rd century AD
Different from the non-Gnostic Apocalypse of Peter. A Gnostic vision text where Peter sees the "living Jesus" laughing above the cross while a substitute is crucified.
Essene Gospel of Peace
Disputed (claimed ancient, likely 20th century)
Claimed by Edmond Bordeaux Szekely to be an ancient Essene text found in the Vatican library. Presents Jesus teaching natural living, fasting, and communion with nature. Its authenticity is disputed by scholars.