Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition. Gnostic in orientation.
Date & Provenance
Composed in the 2nd or 3rd century CE.
Language & Manuscripts
Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex I (Jung Codex).
Why It Matters for Study
Presents a philosophical discussion of the resurrection, emphasizing that it is a spiritual reality to be experienced in the present. Important for understanding Gnostic eschatology.
" The resurrection is not a future event, but a present reality for those who have knowledge." — Treatise on the Resurrection (paraphrase)
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Treatise on the Resurrection — Gnostic Society Full translation with introduction.
- Early Christian Writings — Treatise on the Resurrection Indexed text and scholarly resources.
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.
Peel, M. L. " The Treatise on the Resurrection." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Peel, M. L. " The Treatise on the Resurrection." In Nag Hammadi Codex I. Brill, 1985.