Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition. Gnostic in orientation.
Date & Provenance
Copied in the 4th century CE.
Language & Manuscripts
Papyrus codex, 4th century CE. In the Coptic Museum, Cairo (Inv. 10552).
Why It Matters for Study
Contains the Apocryphon of John and the Gospel of the Egyptians (Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit).
" The Monad is a monarchy with nothing above it." — Apocryphon of John 2:1 (NHC IV,1)
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Nag Hammadi Library — Gnostic Society Complete texts and introductions.
- Early Christian Writings — Nag Hammadi Indexed texts 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.
Böhlig, A., & Wisse, F. Nag Hammadi Codices III, 2 and IV, 2. Brill, 1975.
King, K. L. The Secret Revelation of John. Harvard University Press, 2006.