Saying 1: Whoever Finds the Meaning
Whoever discovers what these sayings mean will not taste death.
Commentary
Salvation here is an act of interpretation. Nothing is asked of the reader except understanding — no creed, no sacrament, no atoning death. This single sentence is the clearest statement of what makes Thomas a “gnostic-flavoured” text in the eyes of many scholars.
Parallels
John 8:51–52
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 19 Saying 19: The Five Trees in Paradise Blessed is the one who came into being before coming into being. There are five trees in Paradise, unchanged in summer and…
- Saying 85 Saying 85: Adam Was Not Worthy of You Adam came from great power and great wealth, but he was not worthy of you; had he been worthy, he would not…
- Saying 51 Saying 51: The New World Has Already Come Asked when the rest for the dead will come and when the new world will arrive, Jesus answers that what they are…
- Saying 83 Saying 83: Images and the Hidden Light Images are visible to people, but the light inside them is hidden in the image of the Father's light; he will be…
- Saying 13 Saying 13: Compare Me to Something Peter says Jesus is like a righteous messenger, Matthew like a wise philosopher; Thomas says his mouth cannot say what Jesus is…
- Saying 111 Saying 111: The Heavens Will Roll Up The heavens and the earth will roll up in front of you, and whoever is alive from the living one will not…