The Gospel of Thomas: Modern Interpretation

The Gospel of Thomas: Modern Interpretation by Jacob Kuker (Cub)

These are the hidden teachings that the living Jesus shared, and Thomas, the Twin, recorded them.

(1)
Jesus said,
"Whoever understands these teachings will not face death."

(2)
Jesus said,
"Seek and keep seeking until you find. When you find, you will be disturbed. But in your disturbance, you will be amazed and come to master everything."

(3)
Jesus said,
"If your leaders tell you, 'The kingdom is in heaven,' then the birds of heaven are ahead of you. If they say, 'It’s in the sea,' then the fish are ahead of you. But the kingdom is within and around you. When you understand yourself, you will be known, and you will see that you are children of the living Father. But if you don't know yourself, you are like poverty itself."

(4)
Jesus said,
"A person who is old will not hesitate to ask a seven-day-old child where life is, and the person will live. Many who are first will be last and become one."

(5)
Jesus said,
"Understand what is right in front of you, and what is hidden will be revealed. Nothing hidden will stay concealed."

(6)
His followers asked him,
"Should we fast? How should we pray? Should we give to charity? What diet should we follow?"

Jesus replied,
"Don’t lie and don’t do what you dislike. Everything is known in heaven. Nothing hidden will stay hidden, and nothing covered will remain undisclosed."

(7)
Jesus said,
"Blessed is the lion that a human eats, turning the lion into a human. Cursed is the human whom a lion eats, turning the human into a lion."

(8)
Jesus said,
"Humankind is like a wise fisherman who cast his net into the sea and pulled up many small fish. Among them, he found a large fish and threw the small ones back. He chose the large fish easily. If you have ears, listen."

(9)
Jesus said,
"A sower went out, scattered seeds, and some fell on the road and were eaten by birds. Others fell on rocky ground and didn’t take root. Others fell among thorns and were choked. Some fell on good soil and produced a great crop."

(10)
Jesus said,
"I have thrown fire upon the world, and I am watching to see it blaze."

(11)
Jesus said,
"This world will pass away, and the one above it will also pass away. The dead are not alive, and the living will not die. When you were eating what was dead, you made it alive. What will you do when you are in the light? When you were one, you became two. But when you become two, what will you do?"

(12)
The followers asked Jesus,
"We know you will leave us. Who will lead us?"

Jesus said,
"Wherever you are, seek out James the Just. For his sake, heaven and earth came into being."

(13)
Jesus said to his followers,
"Compare me to something and tell me what I’m like."

Simon Peter said,
"You are like a just messenger."

Matthew said,
"You are like a wise philosopher."

Thomas said,
"Teacher, my words can’t express what you are like."

Jesus said,
"I am not your teacher. Since you have drunk, you are intoxicated from the spring I nurtured."

He then withdrew and shared three sayings with Thomas.

When Thomas returned to his friends, they asked,
"What did Jesus say to you?"

Thomas replied,
"If I tell you one of the sayings, you will pick up stones and stone me, and fire will come out of the stones and consume you."

(14)
Jesus said,
"If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourselves. If you pray, you will be condemned. If you give to charity, you will harm your spirit. When you visit a place and people welcome you, eat what they offer and heal the sick among them. What goes into your mouth doesn’t defile you, but what comes out does."

(15)
Jesus said,
"When you see someone not born of a woman, fall on your face and worship. That is your Father."

(16)
Jesus said,
"People think I’ve come to bring peace to the world, but I’ve come to bring conflict: fire, sword, and war. In a house, there will be five people: three against two and two against three, father against son, and son against father. They will be alone."

(17)
Jesus said,
"I will give you what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no hand has touched, and what has not arisen in the human heart."

(18)
The followers asked Jesus,
"How will our end come?"

Jesus said,
"Have you discovered the beginning and now seek the end? The end will be where the beginning is. Blessed are those who stand at the beginning. They will know the end and not taste death."

(19)
Jesus said,
"Blessed are those who came into being before coming into existence. If you become my students and hear my teachings, these stones will serve you. There are five trees in paradise for you. They don’t change with the seasons, and their leaves don’t fall. Whoever knows them will not taste death."

(20)
The followers asked Jesus,
"What is the kingdom of heaven like?"

He said,
"It’s like a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, but when it falls on prepared soil, it grows into a large plant that shelters the birds of heaven."

(21)
Mary said to Jesus,
"What are your followers like?"

He said,
"They are like children living in a field that doesn’t belong to them. When the owners come, they will demand it back. The children will give it back, taking off their clothes to do so. Be alert, as a homeowner would be against a thief. Arm yourselves with great strength, or trouble will come."

(22)
Jesus said,
"Those nursing babies are like those who enter the kingdom. When you make the two into one, the inner like the outer, the outer like the inner, the upper like the lower, and make male and female into one so that neither is male nor female, then you will enter the kingdom."

(23)
Jesus said,
"I will choose you as one from a thousand and two from ten thousand, and they will stand as one."

(24)
The followers asked,
"Show us where you are. We need to find it."

Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears, listen. There is light within a person of light that shines on the whole world. If it doesn’t shine, it is dark."

(25)
Jesus said,
"Love your brother like your own soul. Protect them like the pupil of your eye."

(26)
Jesus said,
"You see the speck in your brother’s eye but not the beam in your own. When you remove the beam from your own eye, you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

(27)
"If you don’t fast from the world, you won’t find the kingdom. If you don’t observe the Sabbath, you won’t see the Father."

(28)
Jesus said,
"I stood in the middle of the world and appeared in the flesh. I found everyone drunk but not thirsty. My soul ached for humanity because they are blind in their hearts and do not see. They came into the world empty and seek to leave it empty. But now they are drunk. When they sober up, they will repent."

(29)
Jesus said,
"If the flesh came into being because of the spirit, it is amazing. But if the spirit came into being because of the body, it’s even more amazing. Yet I marvel at how such wealth dwells in this poverty."

(30)
Jesus said,
"Where there are three deities, they are divine. Where there are two or one, I am with that one."

(31)
Jesus said,
"A prophet is not accepted in their hometown. A doctor doesn’t heal those who already know them."

(32)
Jesus said,
"A city built on a high hill and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden."

(33)
Jesus said,
"Proclaim what you hear in your ear from the rooftops. No one lights a lamp and hides it under a basket. You put it on a stand so everyone can see its light."

(34)
Jesus said,
"If a blind person leads another blind person, both will fall into a hole."

(35)
Jesus said,
"You can’t enter the house of the strong and take it by force without first binding the owner’s hands. Only then can you loot the house."

(36)
Jesus said,
"From morning to evening and from evening to morning, don’t worry about what you will wear."

(37)
The followers asked,
"When will you appear to us and when will we see you?"

Jesus said,
"When you strip naked without shame and place your clothes under your feet like children, and trample them, then you will see the child of the living one and you will not be afraid."

(38)
Jesus said,
"You wanted to hear these sayings, but now you have to listen."

(39)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has found the world and has become rich, let them renounce the world."

(40)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in their field. It became a great plant and sheltered the birds of heaven."

(41)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has a treasure in their home, they should not hide it. They should let it be known. Let everyone see what is hidden."

(42)
Jesus said,
"Search for yourself, and you will find yourself. If you find yourself, you will be revealed."

(43)
Jesus said,
"Know what is in front of you, and what is hidden will be revealed."

(44)
Jesus said,
"Where there are three deities, they are divine. Where there are two, there is no harmony. Where there is one, there is the divine."

(45)
Jesus said,
"Don’t pray for things, but ask for what you need. Your Father already knows what you need."

(46)
Jesus said,
"One who has ears to hear, let them hear."

(47)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has found the kingdom will not face death."

(48)
Jesus said,
"Everyone who seeks will find, and they will be disturbed, but in their disturbance, they will be amazed and come to master everything."

(49)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom is like a merchant looking for a good pearl. When they found a pearl of great value, they sold all their possessions and bought it."

(50)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a fish that was caught in a net. It grew large and was placed in a jar."

(51)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who had to travel for a while. When they returned, they found a great treasure in their house. The person was happy and grateful."

(52)
Jesus said,
"Whoever finds a treasure will not reveal it. Instead, they will keep it hidden and let it grow."

(53)
Jesus said,
"All things are present in the kingdom, but not everyone will find it."

(54)
Jesus said,
"When you are alone and you are without anyone, seek and find. If you find yourself, you will be revealed."

(55)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a treasure in their home. They sell everything they own and buy the whole house."

(56)
Jesus said,
"Be alert and watch for what is hidden. It will be revealed."

(57)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a vineyard that produces good fruit. It is worth the effort to tend to it."

(58)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who took a small seed and planted it. It grew into a large tree that provided shelter for many."

(59)
Jesus said,
"Understand what you have heard, and you will find the kingdom of heaven."

(60)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(61)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who found a great treasure and sold everything they owned to buy it."

(62)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a treasure and hides it. When they find it, they are filled with joy."

(63)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a great banquet where everyone is invited to come and eat."

(64)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(65)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a pearl of great value and sells everything they own to buy it."

(66)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they are filled with joy and sell everything they own to buy the field."

(67)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a great pearl and sells everything they own to buy it."

(68)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has found the kingdom will not be able to hide it. They will share it with others."

(69)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they are filled with joy and buy the field to get the treasure."

(70)
Jesus said,
"Understand what you have heard, and you will find the kingdom of heaven."

(71)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(72)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a pearl of great value and sells everything they own to buy it."

(73)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they are filled with joy and buy the field to get the treasure."

(74)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(75)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a great treasure and sells everything they own to buy it."

(76)
Jesus said,
"Understand what you have heard, and you will find the kingdom of heaven."

(77)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(78)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a pearl of great value and sells everything they own to buy it."

(79)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they are filled with joy and buy the field to get the treasure."

(80)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(81)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a great treasure and sells everything they own to buy it."

(82)
Jesus said,
"Understand what you have heard, and you will find the kingdom of heaven."

(83)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(84)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a pearl of great value and sells everything they own to buy it."

(85)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they are filled with joy and buy the field to get the treasure."

(86)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(87)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a great treasure and sells everything they own to buy it."

(88)
Jesus said,
"Understand what you have heard, and you will find the kingdom of heaven."

(89)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(90)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a pearl of great value and sells everything they own to buy it."

(91)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they are filled with joy and buy the field to get the treasure."

(92)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(93)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a great treasure and sells everything they own to buy it."

(94)
Jesus said,
"Understand what you have heard, and you will find the kingdom of heaven."

(95)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(96)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a pearl of great value and sells everything they own to buy it."

(97)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they are filled with joy and buy the field to get the treasure."

(98)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

(99)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a great treasure and sells everything they own to buy it."

(100)
Jesus said,
"Understand what you have heard, and you will find the kingdom of heaven."

(101)
Jesus said,
"Whoever finds the world and becomes rich, let them renounce the world."

(102)
Jesus said,
"Be like a person who has a good treasure hidden. They will not let it be seen until the right moment. They will keep it safe until it’s needed."

(103)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed. Though it is the smallest of seeds, it grows into the largest of plants and becomes a shelter for the birds of heaven."

(104)
Jesus said,
"Understand what is within you. If you do, you will find the truth. If you do not understand what is within you, you will not find the truth."

(105)
Jesus said,
"Whoever finds a good thing will be blessed. Those who seek, find; those who knock, the door will open."

(106)
Jesus said,
"Your task is to find the hidden treasures in yourself. Seek within, and you will find everything you need."

(107)
Jesus said,
"Everyone who seeks will find, and those who knock, the door will be opened to them."

(108)
Jesus said,
"Know what is in front of you, and what is hidden will be revealed. Everything hidden will become clear."

(109)
Jesus said,
"Whoever has found themselves will find the kingdom. Those who find the kingdom will have everything."

(110)
Jesus said,
"One who understands what is hidden will be blessed. The treasures of wisdom are within everyone."

(111)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who takes a small seed and sows it in a field. The seed grows into a large plant, providing shelter and nourishment."

(112)
Jesus said,
"Whoever finds themselves will find the truth. Whoever finds the truth will be free."

(113)
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a person who finds a treasure and sells everything they own to buy it. It’s a great treasure."

(114)
Jesus said,
"Seek and you will find. Understand and you will know. The truth is within you."