To spread the original, universal and eternal truth, path or law of yoga, which remains forever the same in essence, yet always adapts to the time and place.

Hinduism Philosophy
Introduction to the Gospel of Thomas


ACCORDING TO THE THOMAS GOSPEL

13. Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to something and tell me what I am like." Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a just messenger." Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher." Thomas said to him, "Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are like." Jesus said, "I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have tended." And he took him (Thomas), and withdrew, and spoke three sayings to him. When Thomas came back to his friends they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?" Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me, you will pick up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks and devour you."

Interpretation :

Thomas rightly understands that Jesus - as the self or the Supreme - cannot be described, is beyond words (unable to say what you are like). What Jesus answers him is a compliment for really trying to understand (you have drunk), and thus having understood (become intoxicated), so that Thomas no longer even needs a teacher (I am not your teacher). Yet, the understanding must be brought to a deeper level by teaching Thomas more in private (withdrew) that understanding for which the other are not yet ready. What Jesus told Thomas in private is not discussed, but we may guess that the three sayings might be : 1. Jesus is not different from anybody else (not a son of God in any particular sense), 2. All can be like Jesus, merged with the Supreme and 3. Nothing exists but pure consciousness/energy, the Supreme, not even Jesus or his father as the creator-god, which are also illusions. Anyone of those 3 revelations might indeed have caused anger among the other apostles (pick up rocks and stone me) if Thomas would have uttered them, because the other apostles still need the ideal of a son of God talking to them. Thomas wanted to spare them the consequences of that anger, the devouring fire of action and reaction, Karma (fire will come from the rocks and devour you).

62. Jesus said, "I disclose my mysteries to those [who are worthy] of [my] mysteries.

Interpretation :

Quite straightforward...

92. Jesus said, "Seek and you will find. In the past, however, I did not tell you the things about which you asked me then. Now I am willing to tell them, but you are not seeking them."

Interpretation :

The answer is in the question (seek and you will find). However in the past, Jesus may not have been able to answer all questions of his students (I did not tell you the things about which you asked me then), as they may have been premature, as the students may not have been ready to accept the whole truth. Now, Jesus is ready to teach the whole truth (am willing to tell them), but in order to do that he needs the students to be interested in asking the right questions (you are not seeking them).

93. "Don't give what is holy to dogs, for they might throw them upon the manure pile. Don't throw pearls [to] pigs, or they might ... it [...]."

Interpretation :

If those who are still very much ruled by their animal nature (dogs, pigs) would be told the truth (what is holy), their egos would corrupt it (throw upon the manure pile).

Back to the overview on the Thomas Gospel


About this page

Peter MarchandThis introduction to the Thomas Gospel was written by Peter Marchand, who also wrote these books : "The Yoga of the Nine Emotions" and "The Yoga of Truth". Also browse our yoga video section for online classes by Peter Marchand.
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Sanatan Society is an international networking association of students of the late Harish Johari, joining efforts to promote his teachings of yoga philosophy, tantra, worship, art and love. Sanatan Society stands for the original, universal and eternal truth, path or law of yoga. Though it is Hindu in origin, Sanatan Society is not limited to any religion, race, time or country, nor in fact to any particular organisation. More about Sanatan Society...


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