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 clothes like your rulers? They wear soft clothes and cannot understand the truth.
Commentary
In Q this introduces John the Baptist. Thomas removes John entirely, leaving a bare critique of the powerful — soft clothing as a disqualification from understanding.
Parallels
Matthew 11:7–8; Luke 7:24–25
Sayings on the same themes
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- Saying 66 Saying 66: The Rejected Stone Show me the stone the builders rejected: that is the cornerstone.
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