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 does not fail, where no moth comes to eat and no worm destroys.
Commentary
Thomas welds the pearl parable to the imperishable-treasure saying, so the parable is immediately given a moral the synoptics keep separate.
Parallels
Matthew 13:45–46; Matthew 6:19–20; Luke 12:33
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 81 Saying 81: Let the Powerful Renounce Let whoever has become rich reign, and let whoever has power renounce it.
- 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 107 Saying 107: The Largest Sheep A shepherd with a hundred sheep lost the largest one. He left the ninety-nine and searched until he found it, and then…
- 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 9 Saying 9: The Sower A sower scatters seed: some falls on the road, some on rock, some among thorns, and some on good soil that bears…
- Saying 65 Saying 65: The Wicked Tenants A man leased his vineyard to farmers. He sent a servant for the produce and they beat him; he sent another and…