Saying 69: Blessed Are the Hungry
Blessed are those persecuted in their hearts — they have truly come to know the Father. Blessed are the hungry, so that the belly of the one in need may be filled.
Commentary
The second blessing has a practical edge unusual in Thomas: the hungry are blessed *so that* someone in want gets fed, which reads as an instruction to the hearer.
Parallels
Matthew 5:6; Matthew 5:10; Luke 6:21
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 95 Saying 95: Do Not Lend at Interest If you have money, do not lend it at interest; give it to someone who will not pay you back.
- Saying 81 Saying 81: Let the Powerful Renounce Let whoever has become rich reign, and let whoever has power renounce it.
- Saying 68 Saying 68: Blessed Are You When You Are Hated Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted; and no place will be found wherever you have been persecuted.
- 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 110 Saying 110: Finding the World and Renouncing It Whoever has found the world and become rich should renounce the world.
- Saying 54 Saying 54: Blessed Are the Poor Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom of heaven is yours.