Gospel of Thomas

About this text

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.

Significance

One of the most studied non-canonical texts. Some scholars believe it preserves early independent traditions of Jesus' sayings.

How to Read This Historical Text

Gospel of Thomas is included here as a historical and educational resource, not as Scripture and not as a replacement for the biblical canon. Readers may find it useful for understanding the ideas, debates, devotional language, and literary settings that surrounded Jewish and Christian communities in different periods.

Read this text with context in mind. Notice its era, category, and relationship to canonical passages, then compare its themes with the Bible itself. Some library works preserve valuable historical background, while others represent viewpoints that many Christian traditions rejected. Inclusion in this library does not mean endorsement of every claim or doctrine in the text.

For more about how The Bible Companion handles public-domain writings, Bible translations, attribution, and devotional material, see the Sources & Editorial Policy.

Key excerpts

"Jesus said: 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."

"Jesus said: Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

"Jesus said: The kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it."

Scripture cross-references

• Luke 17:21 — "The kingdom of God is within you" — similar theme
• Matthew 13:44 — The hidden treasure — kingdom already present but unseen

Continue exploring

This text is one of 16 in the Gnostic Texts (Nag Hammadi & Related) category, and one of 62 across the entire library.