The Secret Sayings of Jesus: A Modern Translation of the Gospel of Thomas with Commentary

This is the Gnostic apocryphal Gospel of Thomas, which was found in the Nag Hammadi scrolls in 1945. The translators provide 116 pages of critical introduction and historical backgrounds. They provide a clear summary of the known Gnostic literature that has been translated and evaluated, providing a comparison of theme and theology. The Gnostic literature is surveyed in relation to the canonical gospels and other literature. Clarifying The cultural and philosophical insights here will be helpful to those unfamiliar with that era of history. Grant's facts and analysis clarify some of the confused and conflicting popular ideas found in the options in the intellectual marketplace of today's roiling society of searching. Not a Gospel This writing is not a Gospel in the normal literary sense of the word. A Gospel is a certain literary form, exemplified by the story format narratives in the four Gospels placed first in the collection of writings called the New Testament. This book called the Gospel of Thomas is not a story of Jesus and his teaching and interactions with people. The Passion The four canonical Gospels and others, such as the apocryphal Gospel of Barnabas, fill out a story-event scenario with Jesus' teachings and acts of healing. Even more important, the largest part of the Gospels is the "Passion," the crisis events in Jerusalem leading up to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, and ending with the resurrection. The Gospel of Barnabas differs in how the story ends, modified with an ironic variation. But even that medieval work gives the climax to the Passion. Just Sayings This "Gospel" of Thomas, however, does not focus on the sufferings and death of Jesus. This is just a collection of aphorisms, with a heavy Gnostic character and purpose. This is one reason the authors title their translation "The Secret Sayings." Jesus is posed here as a Teacher-Revealer of Esoteric Knowledge revealed only to certain chosen ones. This is a writing in the common gnostic style, a collection of sayings or teachings of Jesus. Many of these are exactly the same as in the canonical Gospels, many are similar. Some are very different. A few could be understood as presenting a different but not contradictory perspective.