Saying 13 is a reference to a passage found in the Gospel of Thomas, a non-canonical text that is part of the Nag Hammadi library discovered in 1945. While the Gospel of Thomas is not included in the canonical Bible, it is often discussed in biblical scholarship for its collection of sayings attributed to Jesus. Saying 13 is particularly notable for its enigmatic and mystical content, which has been the subject of much interpretation and debate.

Text of Saying 13

In Saying 13, Jesus is depicted as asking His disciples to compare Him to something and to express what He is like. Simon Peter responds by comparing Jesus to a "righteous angel." Matthew likens Him to a "wise philosopher." However, it is Thomas who provides a response that pleases Jesus, leading to a private revelation. Jesus takes Thomas aside and speaks three sayings to him, which Thomas later refuses to disclose to the other disciples, saying, "If I tell you one of the things which He told me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me; a fire will come out of the stones and burn you up."

Interpretation and Analysis

From a conservative Christian perspective, the Gospel of Thomas, including Saying 13, is viewed with caution. The text is considered apocryphal and is not recognized as divinely inspired Scripture. The early Church Fathers, such as Irenaeus and Hippolytus, rejected the Gospel of Thomas due to its Gnostic overtones and lack of apostolic authorship. The Gnostic elements, which emphasize secret knowledge and mystical experiences, are seen as inconsistent with the teachings of the canonical Gospels.

Saying 13, in particular, raises questions about the nature of Jesus' identity and the role of secret knowledge. The canonical Gospels present Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world, whose teachings are meant to be proclaimed openly. In contrast, the notion of secret teachings, as suggested in Saying 13, conflicts with the biblical emphasis on the public ministry of Jesus and the Great Commission to spread the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

Theological Implications

Theologically, Saying 13 challenges the orthodox understanding of revelation and the nature of Christ. The canonical Scriptures affirm that Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and that His teachings are accessible to all who seek Him. The idea of hidden knowledge reserved for a select few is contrary to the inclusive message of the Gospel, which invites all to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

Furthermore, the responses of the disciples in Saying 13 reflect a limited understanding of Jesus' true nature. In the canonical Gospels, Peter's confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16) is affirmed by Jesus as a revelation from the Father. This contrasts with the ambiguous and incomplete descriptions offered by the disciples in the Gospel of Thomas.

Conclusion

While Saying 13 of the Gospel of Thomas provides an intriguing glimpse into early Christian thought and the diversity of beliefs in the early centuries, it remains outside the bounds of orthodox Christian doctrine. The canonical Gospels provide a clear and authoritative account of Jesus' life, teachings, and mission, emphasizing the open and universal nature of His message.