Gospel of Thomas Annotated and Explained

by Stevan L. Davies

This ancient text can become a companion for your own spiritual journey. In 1945, twelve ancient books were found inside a sealed jar at the base of an Egyptian cliff. One of those texts was the Gospel of Thomas, one of the most important religious archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. While illuminating the origins of Christianity, it raises the question whether the New Testament's version of Jesus' teachings is entirely accurate and complete.

Written at the same time as the canonical Gospels, the Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a wisdom-loving sage. The aphoristic sayings emphasize the value of the present, teaching that the Kingdom of God is here and now, rather than a future promise or future threat. It presents a new way of looking at the challenging and intriguing figure of Jesus, and reminds us that the Divine can be found right here on earth.

Now you can experience the Gospel of Thomas with understanding even if you have no previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares the inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers, and gives you deeper understanding of Thomas's innovative message: that self-knowledge and contemplation of the nature of this world are the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Praise for The Gospel of Thomas: Annotated & Explained

"Professor Davies has taken the Gospel of Thomas to the next level of intelligibility and accessibility. The commentary stretches the mind, while the comprehensible and accessible translation make Jesus' (and Thomas's) voice clear. A masterful resource for both spiritual and intellectual seekers!"

--Richard Valantasis, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Iliff School of Theology

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology, Nonfiction, History

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Абрахам Хосебр · Rating 5 out of 5]

Євангеліє від Хоми (Фоми) написане в той же період, що й чотири канонічні тексти, але було відкинуте і не включене в корпус. Чому так сталося?
Відповідь ми легко знайдемо в цьому жтексті, автор сам передбачив власну долю:

"Ісус сказав учням своїм: Опишіть мене, скажіть мені, на кого я схожий. Симон Петро сказав йому: Ти схожий на ангела справедливого. Матвій сказав йому: Ти схожий на філософа мудрого. Фома сказав йому: Господи, мої вуста ніяк не приймуть сказати, на кого ти схожий. Ісус сказав: Я не твій пан, бо ти вже не спраглий, ти напився з джерела киплячого, яке я виміряв.

І він узяв його, відвів його (і) сказав йому три слова. Коли ж Фома прийшов до своїх товаришів, вони запитали його: Що сказав тобі Ісус? Фома сказав їм: Якщо я скажу вам одне зі слів, які він сказав мені, ви візьмете камені, кинете (їх) у мене, вогонь вийде з каменів (і) спалить вас."

Множини інтерпретацій, тисячі текстів аналізу, очевидне одне: сила цього слова не зменшилася через століття. Воно все ще приголомшує, дивує та змінює.

"Я тому говорю до них притчами, що вони, дивлячися, не бачать, і слухаючи, не чують, і не розуміють."
Мт.13.13

Улюблені вірші:

Нехай той, хто шукає, не перестає шукати до тих пір, поки не знайде, і, коли він знайде, він буде вражений, і, якщо він вражений, він буде здивований, і він буде царювати над усім.

Коли ви пізнаєте себе, тоді ви будете пізнані і ви дізнаєтеся, що ви-діти Отця живого. Якщо ж ви не пізнаєте себе, тоді ви в бідності і ви-бідність.

Ісус сказав: Пізнай те, що (або того, хто) перед лицем твоїм, і те, що приховано (або той, хто прихований) від тебе, - відкриється тобі. Бо немає нічого таємного, що не буде явним.

Людина подібна мудрому рибалці, який закинув свої сіті в море. Він витягнув їх з моря, повними малих риб; серед них цей мудрий рибалка знайшов велику (і) гарну рибу. Він викинув всіх малих риб у море, він без зусиль вибрав велику рибу. Той, хто має вуха слухати, нехай слухає!

Учні його сказали йому: У який день наступить спокій тих, які мертві? І в який день новий світ приходить? Він сказав їм: Той (спокій), який ви очікуєте, прийшов, але ви не пізнали його.

[Leonard Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read overall. It started out slow for me but the authors analysis picks up as you get into the book. The only negative was assumptive and overly conclusive language that he used. I eventually enjoyed his analysis, particularly the manner in which he provides context from the Gospels and other early Christian/Jewish writings.

It is clear to see why the Gospel of Thomas was not included in the Canon. Never the less, some of the ideas and thoughts fit well into Christian philosophy. It provides such an alternative view of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven, it is worth the read. At the same time, it seems written with a particular agenda in mind to the degree that it does not fit with the Gospels.

[Lela Ashkarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still reading this book, along with the Nag Hammadi Scriptures. Hmmmm, learning, absorbing, an Listening deeply.

[Louis Lapides · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book to read for any evangelical. The Gospel of Thomas contains a collection of random sayings attributed to Jesus. Some of the sayings are found in the four canonical gospels. And some are “original.”

The message of TGOT is far removed from the New Testament biblical theology. No wonder church representatives had difficulty including TGOT in the canon. There is no mention of the need for salvation from sin, the redemptive death of Yeshua on the cross, the second coming and the coming kingdom of abode on earth. The Jesus of Thomas’ gospel did not point to himself as the shepherd of the sheep,the light of the world or the awaited messiah of Old Testament messianic prophecy. The Gospel of Thomas may well have been compiled soon after the NT was written, but it is far from being a literary work that would deem it as a fifth gospel.

The notes and commentary included in the book were very helpful though at times the author took a mystical, New Age interpretation of Jesus’ alleged words. Many of the interpretations offered were subjective and often interesting but useless.

[Sue Klefstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of light:

•There is light within a person of light, and it lights the whole world. If it does not shine, there is darkness.

•A person of light should begin to shine forth radiance into the world before setting out to show others the way to do so.

I recommend the Gospel of Judas as well; its text is available on the web.

[Edward Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a really good time reading this book. got so much more out of the gospel of Thomas when I read it this way.

I really like how the annotations don't pretend to have all the answers they just give possible interpretations. Or for 97, just let's you sit with a parable, which seems to make know sense

[Tanja Nayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating read for anyone with contemplative leanings. The book is a collection of interesting sayings, almost "koan"-like in quality attributed to Jesus Christ. If there is such a thing as "Christ consciousness" then this book could very well be the pathway to enlightenment and toward attaining it. I have heard of the sayings referred to as "logions" which means sayings attributed to Christ.

At a surface level the sayings seem almost simplistic, but dig a little deeper and you will find profound spiritual meaning. Some of the sayings overlap with other Gospels, such as John, which points to their authenticity.

The writings were discovered fairly recently in Egypt in 1945 and the earliest date they may have been written could be AD 60.

My favorite saying from the book is:
"Jesus said: 'I am the light above everything. I am everything. Everything came forth from me, and everything reached me.

Split wood, I am there. Lift up a rock, you will find me there."

WOW! This book truly is a lovely read.

[George King · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had no context in the sense there were no verses before or after the quotes. This made it more difficult to understand and you had to accept the authors understanding of the verses. The book did very little to strengthen my faith

[André Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with some insightful and not too guided comments. The actual saying themselves I will need to reread several times before I can begin to think I understand them.

[Ashley Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read of this beautiful "lost" Gospel, reminding us that the Kingdom is here now and that the power of Jesus is in the message and not necessarily the messenger.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

139 p. Inspired to read from our Seekers Class
Commentary helps understand many of the sayings of Jesus.

[Lucas Gialluisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some verses that have been grabbing my attention:


``once integrated it will become full of light , but such person divided , it will become full of darkness


Gospel of Thomas - Saying 61


``Jesus said: If those who lead you say to you: See, the kingdom is in heaven, then the birds of the heaven will go before you; if they say to you: It is in the sea, then the fish will go before you. But the kingdom is within you, and it is outside of you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will know that you are the sons of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you are in poverty, and you are poverty.``


Gospel of Thomas - Saying 3



, "If you (plur.) do not abstain from the world, you will not find the kingdom. If you do not make the sabbath a sabbath you will not behold the father."


(The importance of meditation in your daily lifes)


Gospel of Thomas - Saying 27




Jesus said, "Where there are three divine beings they are divine. Where there are two or one, I myself dwell with that person."


Gospel of Thomas - Saying 30



) Jesus [said], "One who seeks will find. The door will be opened to one [who knocks].


Gospel of Thomas - Saying 94



His disciples said to him, "When is the kingdom going to come?" , "It is not by being waited for that it is going to come. They are not going to say, 'Here it is' or 'There it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out over the earth, and people do not see it."


Gospel of Thomas - Saying 113



His disciples said, "When will you be shown forth to us and when shall we behold you?" Jesus said, "When you strip naked without being ashamed, and take your garments and put them under your feet like little children and tread upon them, then [you] will see the child of the living. And you will not be afraid.


Gospel of Thomas - Saying 37


(The importance of see the world with the children eyes who dont judge or try to rationalize but instead of this just contemplate the things as they are...)

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily my favorite passage. 51. His disciples asked him: When will the dead rest? When will the new world arrive? He replied: That which you are waiting for has come, but you don't recognize it.

I take issue with the Editor's interpretation of 65. He seems to think that the Landowner can't be God because the Landowner acts incompetently and we all know God isn't incompetent. But when one considers how frequently the tribe of Israel rejected the prophets sent to them, it seems like the meaning of the parable is less about the Landowners competence and more about the irrational, ungrateful, and disrespectful disposition of the debtors.

Saying 3, 113 and a few others in the middle provided nice symmetry regarding the kingdom of God as already established and people not recognizing or comprehending it. This teaching combined with the stressing of Christ's teachings over his personage provided fresh insight to the value of the present condition and discipleship as a method to transcend.

[Anna Banana · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1945, a document containing sayings attributed to Jesus was found in an Egyptian cave. The "Gospel of Thomas" was contemporaneously written with the other four primary gospels of the New Testament. This new gospel offers a new perspective on Jesus' messages: the Kingdom of Heaven is right here in the present, and it is up to us to recognize it.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to the source, I think...

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting potential gospel. Some of the ideas I had heard of before, but some were new to me.

Enjoyed the difference in perspective on the early Christians.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

a more mystical and eastern Jesus.