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
- Saying 104 Saying 104: When the Bridegroom Leaves Invited to pray and fast, Jesus asks what sin he has committed or how he has been defeated; rather, when the bridegroom…
- Saying 89 Saying 89: Washing the Outside of the Cup Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Do you not understand that whoever made the inside also made the outside?
- Saying 105 Saying 105: Whoever Knows the Father and the Mother Whoever knows the father and the mother will be called the child of a prostitute.
- Saying 40 Saying 40: The Vine Planted Apart A grapevine has been planted away from the Father; it has no strength, and it will be pulled up by the root…
- Saying 81 Saying 81: Let the Powerful Renounce Let whoever has become rich reign, and let whoever has power renounce it.
- Saying 10 Saying 10: Fire on the World I have cast fire on the world, and I am watching over it until it blazes.