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Three holy words: Difference between revisions
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In 1945, a collection of ancient papyrus codices were found near Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt. The papyri are dated to the period between the 3rd and 5th century, AD, and contain in various degrees of preservation over 40 (mainly Gnostic) works, nearly all previously unknown. | In 1945, a collection of ancient papyrus codices were found near Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt. The papyri are dated to the period between the 3rd and 5th century, AD, and contain in various degrees of preservation over 40 (mainly Gnostic) works, nearly all previously unknown. | ||
One of these documents, was the ''Gospel of Thomas'', which professes to contain the ‘secret words’ spoken by Jesus to Judas Thomas and written down by St Matthias: | One of these documents, was the gnostic ''Gospel of Thomas'', which professes to contain the ‘secret words’ spoken by Jesus to Judas Thomas and written down by St Matthias: | ||
:''These are the secret words which the living Jesus spoke, and [which] Didymus Judas Thomas wrote...'' | :''These are the secret words which the living Jesus spoke, and [which] Didymus Judas Thomas wrote...'' | ||
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This presumably refers to the Matthias, who is named in Acts 1:23–26 as the man chosen to replace Judas among the Twelve. According to Eusebius, Matthias was one of the Seventy (Luke 10:1). | This presumably refers to the Matthias, who is named in Acts 1:23–26 as the man chosen to replace Judas among the Twelve. According to Eusebius, Matthias was one of the Seventy (Luke 10:1). | ||
Another passage from the Gospel of Thomas states the following: | Another passage from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas states the following: | ||
:''Jesus said to his disciples: “Compare me and tell me whom I am like.” Simon Peter said to him: “You are like a just messenger.” Matthew said to him: “You are like an (especially) wise philosopher.” Thomas said to him: “Teacher, my mouth cannot bear at all to say whom you are like.” Jesus said: “I am not your teacher. For you have drunk, you have become intoxicated at the bubbling spring that I have measured out.” And he took him, (and) withdrew, (and) he said three words to him. But when Thomas came back to his companions, they asked him: “What did Jesus say to you?” Thomas said to them: “If I tell you one of the words he said to me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me, and fire will come out of the stones (and) burn you up.”'' (The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Saying #13)25 | :''Jesus said to his disciples: “Compare me and tell me whom I am like.” Simon Peter said to him: “You are like a just messenger.” Matthew said to him: “You are like an (especially) wise philosopher.” Thomas said to him: “Teacher, my mouth cannot bear at all to say whom you are like.” Jesus said: “I am not your teacher. For you have drunk, you have become intoxicated at the bubbling spring that I have measured out.” And he took him, (and) withdrew, (and) he said three words to him. But when Thomas came back to his companions, they asked him: “What did Jesus say to you?” Thomas said to them: “If I tell you one of the words he said to me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me, and fire will come out of the stones (and) burn you up.”'' (The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Saying #13)25 | ||