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 14 Saying 14: Fasting Brings Sin Fasting brings sin, prayer brings condemnation, almsgiving harms the spirit; go into any land, eat what is put before you, heal the…
- Saying 73 Saying 73: The Harvest Is Large The harvest is large but the workers are few; beg the owner to send out more workers.
- Saying 37 Saying 37: When You Strip Without Shame Asked when he will appear to them, Jesus answers: when you undress without being ashamed, and trample your clothes underfoot like little…
- Saying 5 Saying 5: Know What Is in Front of You Know what is in front of your face and what is hidden from you will be revealed; nothing hidden will fail to…
- Saying 26 Saying 26: The Speck and the Log You see the speck in your brother's eye but not the log in your own; take out the log first, and then…