Gospel of Thomas

The text opens: whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death, and the seeker must continue until he finds, becoming troubled and then astonished. Jesus locates the kingdom inside and outside, not in sky or sea; the old man will ask a seven-day-old child about the place of life. Asked about fasting, prayer, alms, and diet, Jesus answers: do not lie, do not do what you hate. Sayings follow in order on the lion consumed by man, the wise fisherman, the sower, fire cast upon the world, and heaven passing away. The disciples ask who will lead them — James the righteous; asked to compare him, Simon Peter says angel, Matthew philosopher, Thomas cannot say, and Jesus tells Thomas three things. Jesus declares fasting sinful and alms harmful, speaks of the one not born of woman, of dissension rather than peace, of the unseen gift, of end found in beginning, five trees in Paradise, the mustard seed. Mary asks whom the disciples are like — children in a field not theirs. Making the two one admits to the kingdom; then light within, the mote and beam, fasting from the world, his appearing in flesh among the intoxicated, flesh and spirit, prophets unaccepted, the fortified city, the lamp, the blind leading blind, the strong man's house, disrobing without shame, the pharisees hiding the keys of knowledge, blasphemy against the spirit, and — among those born of women — John the Baptist, whom a child will surpass. Then two masters and old wineskins, the solitary elect, coming from the light, the twenty-four prophets, circumcision in spirit, the blessed poor, hating one's parents, the world as corpse, the weeds, the Samaritan with the lamb, Salome's exchange with Jesus, the rich man who died at night, the excused dinner guests, the murdered heir of the vineyard, the cornerstone, the persecuted, the divider refused. Late sayings run from the great harvest and the bridal chamber through the pearl merchant, I-am-the-light-above-all, the desert reed, the woman who blesses his mother, Adam unworthy, the foxes' holes, the outside of the cup, the easy yoke, pearls before swine, lending without interest, the leaven, the broken jar of meal, the assassin's sword-test, his true brothers and mother, Caesar's coin, the true mother who gave life, woe to the pharisees as dog in the manger, the brigands foreseen, fasting when the bridegroom leaves, the son of the harlot, and finally: when you make the two one, the mountain will move.

Jesus compares the kingdom to a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find the one largest that strayed, telling it he cares for it more. He says whoever drinks from his mouth will become like him. He likens the kingdom to a hidden treasure inherited unknowingly and found by a buyer who lends at interest. He urges renouncing the world, describes the heavens rolled up. He pronounces woe on flesh and soul depending on each other. Answering disciples about the kingdom's coming, he says it is spread upon the earth unseen. When Simon Peter says Mary should leave, Jesus says he will make her male.