Library

Gospel of Thomas

The Gospel of Thomas is a collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, discovered in 1945 at Nag Hammadi. It is one of the most important non-canonical gospels and a key text for understanding early Christian diversity.|||Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex II (dated c. 340 CE). Greek fragments from Oxyrhynchus (P. Oxy. 1, 654, 655) from the late 2nd–3rd centuries.|||Most scholars date the original Greek composition to c. 50–140 CE. Some scholars argue for an early date (50–100 CE); others argue for a later date (135–200 CE).|||Not canonical in any tradition. Regarded as Gnostic or proto-Gnostic by most scholars.|||Contains 114 sayings of Jesus, some with parallels in the canonical gospels, others unique. Important for understanding the development of early Christian tradition, the " Q" source, and Gnostic thought.|||Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.|||Meyer, M. The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus. HarperSanFrancisco, 1992.|||DeConick, A. D. Recovering the Original Gospel of Thomas. T& T Clark, 2005.|||The Gospel of Thomas — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/thomas.htm|Full public-domain translation at Sacred Texts.;; Early Christian Writings — Gospel of Thomas|https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/thomas.html|Indexed translations and scholarly resources.;; Nag Hammadi Library — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html|Complete text and introduction.|||" These are the hidden sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Judas Thomas the Twin recorded." — Gospel of Thomas, Prologue

Collection: New Testament Apocrypha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition. Regarded as Gnostic or proto-Gnostic by most scholars.

Date & Provenance

Most scholars date the original Greek composition to c. 50–140 CE. Some scholars argue for an early date (50–100 CE); others argue for a later date (135–200 CE).

Language & Manuscripts

Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex II (dated c. 340 CE). Greek fragments from Oxyrhynchus (P. Oxy. 1, 654, 655) from the late 2nd–3rd centuries.

Why It Matters for Study

Contains 114 sayings of Jesus, some with parallels in the canonical gospels, others unique. Important for understanding the development of early Christian tradition, the " Q" source, and Gnostic thought.

" These are the hidden sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Judas Thomas the Twin recorded." — Gospel of Thomas, Prologue

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.
Meyer, M. The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus. HarperSanFrancisco, 1992.
DeConick, A. D. Recovering the Original Gospel of Thomas. T& T Clark, 2005.