GOSPEL OF THOMAS

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The Gospel of Thomas is a book of 114 sayings that were attributed to Jesus after He rose from the dead. These sayings are not recorded in the Bible, but several are consistent with Jesus’s teachings in the Synoptic Gospels of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and also Paul’s writings. 

 

The Gospel of Thomas is dated around the mid to late second century. The Gospel of Thomas references the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and more than half of the New Testament writings are quoted or alluded to in the Gospel of Thomas.

 

The Gospel of Thomas reports Jesus referring to himself as the Son of Man. That is the most common name for Jesus in the Gospels. The Gospel of Thomas also refers to Jesus as the Living One, a term that is also referenced in Revelation 1:17-18. 

 

Saying 20 reads, “The disciples said to Jesus: ‘Tell us what the kingdom of heaven is like.’ He said to them: ‘It is like a mustard seed, smaller than all seeds. But when it falls on the cultivated ground, it puts forth a large branch and provides shelter for (the) birds of heaven.’” This connects with several biblical passages, including Matthew 13:31, Mark 4:30-32, and Luke 13:18.

 

Additionally, saying 26 states, “Jesus said: ‘You see the splinter which is in your brother’s eye, but you do not see the plank which is in your own eye. When you have removed the plank from your own eye, then you will see to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye’” This saying reflects the words in Matthew 7:3-5 and Luke 6:41. 

 

Saying 90 also reflects closely the words in Matthew 11:28-30 and states, “Jesus said, ‘Come to me, for my yoke is easy and my rule is gentle, and you will find rest for yourselves.’”