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The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 · 3 of 24 · tr. Samuel Zinner

The Savior Comforts John

He asked me: “John, John, why do you marvel, and why [do you] fear? Is this appearance unknown to all of you? I mean, do not [be] of a weak heart. I am the one who [is] always [with all of you]. I [am the Father], I am the Mother, I am the Son. I am the unpolluted and untainted one. [I have now come to inform you of] what is, [and what was], and what will [happen], so that [you might understand the things] that are not manifest [and those things that are manifest, and to inform you] of the [unmoving race of] the [Perfect Man]. [Lift up, therefore] your [face, so that] you [might accept] the things I [will tell you] today, [and] might [convey them to your companion] spirits [of] the [unmoving] race of the Perfect [Man].”
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Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

The divine is described using human familial roles such as Father, Mother, and Son.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

The passage centers on the Savior revealing hidden truths to John so he might understand and attain salvation.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

The Savior explicitly mentions informing John of things that are not manifest.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

The divine is portrayed as active and present, coming to inform and comfort the disciple.

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Opposites Transcendedanthropology

The dissolution of binary oppositions (male/female, inner/outer, above/below) as a mark of spiritual completion.

The divine identity dissolves binary oppositions by claiming to be both Father and Mother.

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Pneumatic Electsoteriology

A spiritual elite who possess the divine spark and are predestined for salvation, contrasted with psychic (faithful) and hylic (material) persons.

The text references conveying teachings to companion spirits of the unmoving race, indicating a spiritual elite.

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Related passages · 3 parallels
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 9, Section 1c
For just as, supposing we were in thought to represent the soul itself in bodily shape, and represent this indivisible substance as surrounded by bodily parts, we should, in such a case, give the surrounding parts a different meaning suited…”
Shared concept: Anthropomorphism — Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery. (derived)
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter II
The hostile opposition, therefore, in the things that are now proposed, may be easily dissolved by demonstrating the dignity of wholes with 226 respect to parts, and by recalling to your recollection the exempt transcendency of the Gods abo…”
Shared concept: Opposites Transcended — The dissolution of binary oppositions (male/female, inner/outer, above/below) as a mark of spiritual completion. (derived)
hermeticism|Corpus Hermeticum 10: The Sermon on the Mount|Section 1a
The Key <This longer tractate presents itself explicitly as a summary or abridgement of the General Sermons (CH II-IX), and discusses the Hermetic view of knowledge and its role in the lives and afterlives of human beings. The attentive re…”
Shared concept: Pneumatic Elect — A spiritual elite who possess the divine spark and are predestined for salvation, contrasted with psychic (faithful) and hylic (material) persons. (derived)