The Gospel's Parallels in the New Testament
The Gospel of Thomas stresses the importance of each individual looking inward and finding gnosis of the Self. It is that process that bestows right understanding of Jesus' sayings. Strip away everything that binds you to the world, become a solitary one, seek gnosis: the gospel suggests that this is how to find eternal life.
There are numerous parallels between the sayings found in the Gospel of Thomas and the canonical gospels. Some are almost word for word while others seem thematically linked. An example of the way these sayings have resonance can be seen in the following examples. The Gospel of Thomas saying number 31 states that a village won't accept its own prophet and a doctor doesn't heal people he knows. The canonical gospels each have a version of that saying.
“And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:57–58).
“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them” (Mark 6:4–5).
“And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country” (Luke 4:23).
“For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country” (John 4:44).
Another saying found in the Gospel of Thomas has to do with the important stone that has been rejected by the builders, which is identified as the “cornerstone.” See the Gospel of Thomas saying number 66. The parallel in the New Testament Gospel can be found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42)
“And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” (Mark 12:10–11).
“And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?” (Luke 20:17).
Why did the Apostle Thomas not emphasize Jesus' life and ministry in his gospel?
Thomas emphasized the “secret sayings” of the “living Jesus.” The sayings become the point of his gospel because if the sayings are rightly understood, through gnosis, the reader becomes like Jesus' twin or the Christ (instead of a Christian), thereby achieving salvation.
In the parable of the yeast in saying number 96 from the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus compares heaven or the father's kingdom to a woman with some yeast hidden in bread dough that yields large loaves. The parallel is found in the Gospel of Matthew 13:33, “Another parable spake he unto them: The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened;” and also in the Gospel of Luke 13:20–21, “And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
The sayings found in the Gospel of Thomas have parallels not only in the synoptic Gospels but also in the Sayings Gospel Q, as well as in several other Gnostic texts and ancient writings. Some are repeated or offered with variations in Paul's New Testament Epistles.
Thomas was a Jew and possibly also a Galilean. Some sources say his name Thomas is Syriac and Didymos is the Greek equivalent. In Syriac legends, he is often called Judas Thomas. According to one tradition, Thomas and the other disciples after Pentecost divided up the countries of the world and drew lots to see where each of them would go. India fell to Judas Thomas.
