Saying 40: The Vine Planted Apart
A grapevine has been planted away from the Father; it has no strength, and it will be pulled up by the root and destroyed.
Commentary
Probably aimed at a rival religious group, though Thomas never names one. The horticultural test is simple: whatever is not rooted in the source will not last.
Parallels
Matthew 15:13; John 15:1–6
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 35 Saying 35: Binding the Strong Man You cannot get into a strong man's house and take it by force without tying his hands first; then you can loot…
- 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 76 Saying 76: The Pearl and the Treasure A merchant with a load of goods found a pearl, sold the lot and bought the pearl. Look for the treasure that…
- Saying 57 Saying 57: The Wheat and the Weeds A man sowed good seed; his enemy sowed weeds among it at night. He would not let his workers pull the weeds…
- Saying 109 Saying 109: The Treasure in the Field A man had a treasure buried in his field and knew nothing about it. He died and left the field to his…
- Saying 102 Saying 102: The Dog in the Manger Damn the Pharisees: they are like a dog asleep in the cattle trough, who neither eats nor lets the cattle eat.