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 waiting for has already arrived — they simply do not recognise it.
Commentary
Thomas’s realised eschatology in one line, and the strongest argument against reading it as an apocalyptic text. Nothing is coming; something is already here.
Parallels
Luke 17:20–21; John 5:25
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 20 Saying 20: The Mustard Seed The kingdom is like a mustard seed: the smallest of all seeds, but when it falls on worked ground it puts out…
- Saying 1 Saying 1: Whoever Finds the Meaning Whoever discovers what these sayings mean will not taste death.
- Saying 11 Saying 11: This Heaven Will Pass Away This heaven and the one above it will pass away; the dead are not alive and the living will not die. When…
- Saying 113 Saying 113: The Kingdom Spread Out on the Earth Asked when the kingdom will come, Jesus says it will not come by watching for it; no one will say "look, here"…
- 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 75 Saying 75: Only the Solitary Enter Many are standing at the door, but it is the solitary who will enter the bridal chamber.