Date of composition

• 100 - 250.
• A possible reference to it might be found in Clement of Alexandria's Stromata (d. c. 215), where he quoted a verse very similar to one in the Gospel of Thomas but attributed it to the Gospel of Hebrews.
• The Gospel of Thomas was included in the Nag Hammadi Gnostic collection of the 300s.

Biography of Jesus?

• No. It contains many supposed sayings of Jesus during his ministry, but not a chronological account of his life.

Type of Apocrypha (heretical or in error (made up))

• Heretical. Contains Gnostic references.
• Unlike other Gnostic writings, such as the Secret Book of James and the Gospel of Judas above, it does not have lengthy explanations of Gnosticism, only references to a secret knowledge.

Length

• 21 double-spaced pages. We have the complete writing.

Summary

• A collection of 114 sayings.
• Begins: "These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos (Greek for 'the Twin') Judas Thomas wrote down."

Noteworthy from the book

1. 42 of the sayings are similar or exactly like the sayings of Jesus in the Four Gospels, such as the Parable of the Sower. This has caused confusion; some believe this book should be added to the New Testament.
2. Jesus tells Thomas three things that Thomas should not share with the other Apostles because (Thomas said) they would stone him (#13). "Secret knowledge" is a common theme in Gnosticism.
3. Jesus said, "It is to those who are worthy of my mysteries that I tell my mysteries."(#62). "Mysteries" is a common theme in Gnosticism.
4. "Jesus said, 'He who will drink from my mouth will become like me. I, myself, shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him.'"(#108) Another reference to a secret knowledge.
5. Other Gnostic references are found in the book.
6. Jesus tells the Apostles to look to James (his half-brother) as leader after he is gone. (#12)