The Book of Thomas the Contender

Nag Hammadi Library

The Book of Thomas the Contender opens with Thomas the Apostle — traditionally identified as Jesus's twin brother — in conversation with Jesus shortly before the crucifixion. The text was written down by one Mathaias. Jesus teaches Thomas that the body is a beast, that sexuality is the fundamental fire from which all suffering emerges, and that the wise man must examine himself and achieve self-kn

Codex Digital EditionComing soonEdition currently in preparation

Edition099

FormatDigital PDF

Editorial statusIn review

TraditionGnostic Gospels

Before you read

Context without the mythology.

Codex ISO separates the surviving evidence from later interpretation, so you can encounter the text without being told what to believe about it first.

01 / Historical context

3rd century. The secret dialogue between Jesus and his twin Thomas, recorded by Mathaias. Jesus teaches that the fire of lust is the source of all suffering. Too close to Manichaei

02 / Why it matters

What Jesus's twin brother wrote down privately. Burning with contempt for flesh.

From / associated with the text

“"Woe to you who hope in the flesh and in the prison that will perish! How long will you be oblivious? The imperishables hope for the imperishable."”

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Source before story.

We identify the edition, translation and surviving evidence; distinguish documentation from tradition; and state uncertainty rather than turning it into a sales claim.

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Continue the archive

The Book of Thomas the Contender

Context without the mythology.

Source before story.

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