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 12 Saying 12: James the Just Asked who will lead them after he goes, Jesus sends the disciples to James the Just, for whose sake heaven and earth…
- Saying 39 Saying 39: The Keys of Knowledge The Pharisees and scholars have taken the keys of knowledge and hidden them; they did not go in themselves and did not…
- Saying 41 Saying 41: To Whoever Has, More Will Be Given Whoever has something in hand will be given more; whoever has nothing will lose even the little they have.
- 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 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 54 Saying 54: Blessed Are the Poor Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom of heaven is yours.