Saying 54: Blessed Are the Poor
Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom of heaven is yours.
Commentary
Thomas has Luke’s literal poor rather than Matthew’s “poor in spirit”, but keeps Matthew’s “kingdom of heaven” — a mixed reading that complicates any simple account of who copied whom.
Parallels
Luke 6:20; Matthew 5:3
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 98 Saying 98: The Assassin The kingdom is like a man who wanted to kill someone powerful. At home he drew his sword and drove it into…
- Saying 49 Saying 49: Blessed Are the Solitary Blessed are the solitary and the chosen, for you will find the kingdom; you came from it, and you will go back…
- Saying 63 Saying 63: The Rich Fool A rich man planned to invest his money, sow, reap and fill his barns so he would lack nothing — and died…
- Saying 15 Saying 15: The One Not Born of Woman When you see the one who was not born of woman, fall on your face and worship: that one is your Father.
- Saying 78 Saying 78: Why Did You Go Out to the Countryside? Why did you come out to the country — to see a reed shaken by the wind, or a man in soft…
- Saying 3 Saying 3: The Kingdom Within and Without If your leaders say the kingdom is in the sky the birds will get there first; if in the sea, the fish.…