Gospel of Thomas · 64 of 114 · tr. Thomas O. Lambdin

Logion 64

Jesus said, "A man had received visitors. And when he had prepared the dinner, he sent his servant to invite the guests. He went to the first one and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said, 'I have claims against some merchants. They are coming to me this evening. I must go and give them my orders. I ask to be excused from the dinner.' He went to another and said to him, 'My master has invited you.' He said to him, 'I have just bought a house and am required for the day. I shall not have any spare time.' He went to another and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said to him, 'My friend is going to get married, and I am to prepare the banquet. I shall not be able to come. I ask to be excused from the dinner.' He went to another and said to him, 'My master invites you.' He said to him, 'I have just bought a farm, and I am on my way to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. I ask to be excused.' The servant returned and said to his master, 'Those whom you invited to the dinner have asked to be excused.' The master said to his servant, 'Go outside to the streets and bring back those whom you happen to meet, so that they may dine.' Businessmen and merchants will not enter the places of my father."

Themes

◆Eschatological Judgmentsoteriology

Final, collective cosmic judgment as an event in which the wicked are sentenced and the cosmos restored; distinct from psychopomp_journey (individual passage at death) and emphasising verdict where Zoroastrian frashokereti emphasises restoration.

The concluding statement delivers a final verdict that businessmen and merchants will not enter the divine realm, emphasizing exclusion based on worldly status.

All passages →

◆Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

The goal of the invitation is to enter the 'places of my father,' implying a return to the divine origin for those who accept.

All passages →

◇Anthropomorphismtheology

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

[auto] The divine figure is depicted using human imagery as a master who prepares dinner and employs servants.

All passages →

◇Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

[auto] The narrative establishes a clear tension between material concerns (business, property) and the spiritual call of the Master.

All passages →

◇Renunciation Of Wealthethics

The spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions; wealth as a spiritual obstacle.

[auto] The passage centrally contrasts the divine invitation with worldly attachments such as merchants, houses, farms, and rent.

All passages →

Related passages · 1 parallel

◆platonism|Plato: Symposium|Section 1c

“Welcome, Aristodemus, said Agathon, as soon as he appeared-you are just in time to sup with us; if you come on any other matter put it off, and make one of us, as I was looking for you yesterday and meant to have asked you, if I could have…”

Both passages discuss the theme of invited guests who decline an invitation to a meal, highlighting the contrast between those who are initially invited and those who ultimately partake. The passages share a similar structure and moral lesson about the unexpected guests who are welcomed instead.