Prologue: The Hidden Sayings
These are the hidden sayings that the living Jesus spoke and that Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down.
Commentary
The opening line sets the terms for everything that follows. The sayings are “hidden” — they require interpretation rather than belief — and they come from the *living* Jesus, a speaking presence rather than a crucified and risen figure. Both “Didymos” (Greek) and “Thomas” (Aramaic) mean twin, a doubling the text never explains.
Parallels
John 20:24–29
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 47 Saying 47: Two Horses, Two Masters, New Wine No one rides two horses or draws two bows; no servant serves two masters. Nobody drinks old wine and immediately wants new;…
- Saying 92 Saying 92: Now I Am Willing to Tell You Seek and you will find. In the past I did not tell you the things you asked about; now I am willing…
- Saying 21 Saying 21: Children in a Field Not Theirs Mary asks what the disciples are like; they are like children living in a field that is not theirs, who give it…
- Saying 6 Saying 6: On Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving The disciples ask how to fast, pray, give alms and eat; the answer is to stop lying and to stop doing what…
- Saying 17 Saying 17: What No Eye Has Seen I will give you what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no hand has touched, and what has never arisen…
- Saying 103 Saying 103: Knowing Where the Robbers Will Enter Blessed is the one who knows where the robbers are going to break in: he can get up, gather his forces and…