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Pistis Sophia · 47 of 160 · tr. George Horner

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The truth also is the power which came out of thee, thou being in the Place below of the Chaos. Because of this, thy power said by David, The truth burst forth out of the earth, because that thou art in the Place below of the Chaos. The righteousness also which looked out of the heaven, that is the power which came out of the Height by the First Mystery, this which went into the Sophia. It happened therefore, Jesus having heard these words, said he, Well (done), Mariham the happy, this (One) who will inherit all the kingdom of the Light. After these (things) there came also forward Maria the mother of Jesus, said she, My Lord [109 ] and my Saviour, command to me also, for me to say this word of answer? Said he, Jesus, He whose spirit will become understanding I forbid him not, but I urge him the more for to say the meaning which moved him. Now therefore Maria my mother according to the matter in which I sojourned I command to thee, for thee to say also the meaning of the word. But answered Maria, said she, My Lord, concerning the word which thy power prophesied by David, The mercy with the truth met one another, the righteousness with the peace, they kissed one another, the truth burst forth in the earth, and the righteousness looked out of the heaven. Thy power prophesied this word once concerning thee, thou being yet little, before [109 ] the spirit came upon thee, thou being in a vineyard with Ioseph came the spirit out of the Height, he came to me into my house, being like to thee, and I was not knowing him, and I was thinking that (it) is thou. And said to me the spirit, Where is Jesus my brother that I may meet him? And he having said this to me, I was puzzled, and I was thinking that (it) is a phantasm to the tempting me. But I took him up I bound him unto the foot of my place of lying which is in my house, until I should come to you out unto the field, thou with Ioseph. And I having found thee in the vineyard, while Ioseph giveth the vineyard unto the reed, it happened therefore, thou having 60 heard me saying the word to Ioseph, thou understoodest the word, thou rejoicedst, and saidst thou, Where is he that I may see him or else I am remaining [110 ] for him in this place? But it happened, Ioseph having heard thee saying these words he was disturbed, and we came up together, we went into the house: we found the spirit bound unto the place of lying, and we looked at thee with him, we found thee being like to him, and was loosened he who was bound unto the bed, he embraced thee, he kissed thee, and thou also thou kissedst him, ye became only one. This therefore is the word with its explanation. The mercy is the spirit which came out of the Height by the First Mystery: because that he had mercy on the race of the men, he dispatched his spirit for to forgive the sins of all the world, and for them to receive mystery and inherit the kingdom of the light. The truth also is the power which sojourned in me, having come [110 ] out of the Barbelo, it became for thee for body material and it preached of the Place of the truth. The righteousness is thy spirit, this which brought the mysteries out of the Height for him to give them to the race of the mankind.
Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

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

The divine attributes are described using human characteristics such as 'mercy', 'truth', and 'righteousness'.

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Birth Of Word In Soulanthropology

Eckhart's signature doctrine that the Father eternally begets the Son in the ground of the soul; the human interior as the actual site of the divine generative act, distinct from inner_light's static indwelling.

The passage describes a word of answer moving within Maria's spirit to be spoken by her.

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Body As Obstacleanthropology

The material body viewed as a prison, tomb, or source of error that hinders spiritual knowledge and return.

The text distinguishes between the spirit and material body, implying the latter is less divine.

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Childlike Innocenceanthropology

The infant or child as symbol of the unfallen, undivided spiritual state; return to primordial simplicity.

Jesus is described as being little and not knowing the spirit before it came upon him.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

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

The text contrasts the Place below of the Chaos with the Height and distinguishes between truth and righteousness as separate powers.

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Divine Lighttheology

The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.

The passage explicitly mentions the 'kingdom of the Light' and the spirit's descent from the Height to meet Jesus.

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Divine Marriagesoteriology

The reunification of complementary divine principles (male-female, spirit-matter) as a symbol of wholeness and salvation.

The text describes the union of the spirit with Maria as they become 'only one'.

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Emanation Hierarchycosmology

A chain of divine beings or principles flowing downward from a single transcendent source (the One or the Father), each level less perfect than the one above.

The passage references powers flowing from the Height and the Place below of the Chaos.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

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

Salvation is linked to understanding the meaning of the word through direct spiritual insight rather than external faith.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

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

The text reveals an esoteric explanation of a prophetic word reserved for those ready to receive it.

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Inner Lightanthropology

The divine spark or luminous quality residing within the human person, potentially recognisable through introspection.

The spirit is described as coming out of the Height and becoming understanding within Maria.

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Kingdom Withinanthropology

The claim that the divine realm is present inside the individual, accessible without external mediation.

The inheritance of the kingdom of the Light is promised to those who inherit it through spiritual understanding.

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Living Godtheology

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

God is portrayed as active, dynamic, and responsive to prayer and command.

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Mystical Unionsoteriology

The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.

The text describes the merging of the spirit and Maria into a single entity through divine union.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

The phrase 'the mercy with the truth met one another' uses a paradoxical union to convey spiritual meaning.

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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.

Jesus is identified as the one who will inherit all the kingdom of the Light, indicating a predestined spiritual elite.

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Prayerpraxis

Direct address to the divine, whether petitionary, contemplative, or liturgical; speech and silence offered upward.

Maria directly addresses Jesus as 'My Lord and my Saviour' and asks to say the word of answer.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

The binding of the spirit implies a state of consecration or purity required for the encounter.

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Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

The text emphasizes the ontological power of specific divine names and words like 'David' and 'Jesus'.

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Theosis Deificationsoteriology

The doctrine — central to Eastern Orthodox and Maximian theology — that the human person is progressively transformed into a partaker of the divine nature by grace, not merely justified or united in passing ecstasy.

Maria is transformed into a spiritual union with the divine spirit, becoming one with Jesus.

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Related passages · 7 parallels
buddhism|Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter)|Section 1f
Because, O Subhûti, the highest perfect knowledge of the holy and enlightened Tathâgatas is produced from it; the blessed Buddhas are produced from it. And why? Because, O Subhûti, when the Tathâgata preached: [1. See Childers, s.v. Lok…”
Both passages discuss the nature of spiritual insight and the transcendence of conventional understanding. The Pistis Sophia passage describes the meeting of divine qualities (mercy, truth, righteousness, peace) and their mystical significance, while the Buddhist passage emphasizes the non-attachment to spiritual achievements and the transcendence of individual being. Both highlight the profound, non-dualistic nature of spiritual realization.
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 3, Section 1a
CHAPTER III What is the power of Prayer? Also concerning the Blessed Hierotheus and concerning Reverence and the Writing of Divinity. 1. And first of all, if it like thee, let us consider the highest Name, even “Goodness,” by which all t…”
Both passages explore the interaction between divine and human realms, emphasizing the descent of divine powers or spirits to interact with or redeem humanity. They share a mystical focus on the union between the divine and the human, though within different theological frameworks.
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 10 (part 3)
It was she in whom the voice of God promised again to introduce the living, holy substance from heaven, and to generate anew and in divine power the faded image of God that was contained therein." 1 ( Grace , vii. 18.) This, however, did n…”
Both passages discuss the divine intervention and the role of a feminine figure (Eve in Passage A and Maria in Passage B) in the process of salvation. They describe the introduction of divine elements into humanity, emphasizing the concept of divine love and the conquest of evil.
egyptian|The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)|Chapter 38 (part 4)
I am pure, in my fore-parts have I been made clean, and in my hinder parts have I (19) been purified; my reins have been bathed in the Pool of right and truth, and no member of my body was wanting. I have been purified in the pool of the s…”
Both passages describe a mystical journey involving purification, encountering divine beings, and the use of sacred names or words to gain passage or understanding. They share themes of spiritual transformation and the interaction between the human and the divine.
hermeticism|Corpus Hermeticum 13: The Discourse of Hermes to Tat|Section 1b
Thou seest me with eyes, my son; but what I am thou dost not understand [even] with fullest strain of body and of sight. 4. Tat: Into fierce frenzy and mind-fury hast thou plunged me, father, for now no longer do I see myself. Hermes: I…”
Both passages discuss the concept of divine rebirth and the transformation of the self through spiritual insight. They emphasize the transcendence of the physical body and the attainment of a higher, divine state of being.
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter LXXXI
LXXXI. The Heavenly Tablets and the Mission of Enoch . CHAPTER LXXXI. 1. And he said unto me: 'Observe, Enoch, these heavenly tablets, And read what is written thereon, And mark every individual fact.' p. 108 2 And I observed the heavenly t…”
Both passages deal with divine revelation and the interaction between heavenly and earthly realms. They share themes of righteousness, divine power, and the transmission of sacred knowledge, though they come from different mystical traditions.
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter CVII
CHAPTER CVII. 1. And I saw written on them that generation upon generation shall transgress, till a generation of righteousness arises, and transgression is destroyed and sin passes away from the earth, and all manner p. 153 of good comes u…”
Both passages discuss the concept of righteousness and the coming of a savior or righteous generation that will bring about a new era of goodness and truth. They share a similar eschatological theme of transformation and renewal.