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 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 29 Saying 29: Spirit Dwelling in Poverty If flesh came into being because of spirit that is a marvel; if spirit because of the body, a marvel of marvels.…
- Saying 8 Saying 8: The Wise Fisherman A fisherman hauls up a netful of small fish, finds one fine large fish among them, and throws all the small ones…
- 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 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…