Early Christian Writings
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Nag Hammadi Coptic Text
BLATZ
(49) Jesus said: Blessed are
the solitary and the elect,
for you will find the
kingdom, for you came
forth from it, (and) you will
return to it again.
Visitor Comments
Emphasis on the solitary is
so frequent, it leads the
reader to think that maybe
the word solitary means
something like "individual"
and that in trying to find
enlightenment without
following others, being
solitary will lead to
enlightenment.
- Five_crowss
"Solitary" in the GT might
refer to a concentrative
mystical state that is not a
sub-clinical pathology but is
akin to 'Kaivalya' in the Yoga
tradition or One Mind in
some Buddhist traditions.
That is: a state of such
intense focus that it bypasses
normal subject/object
relationships and enters a
non-dual singularity best
typified by a term such as
"solitary". Thomas 49 & 50
both outline this as a
practical endeavour.
Gospel of Thomas Saying 49 Previous - Gospel of Thomas Home - Next
Funk's Parallels
GThom 23, GThom 75,
GThom 106, GThom 16.
LAYTON DORESSE
(49) Jesus said, "Blessed are 54 [49]. Jesus says:
those who are solitary and "Blessed are the solitary and
superior, for you (plur.) will the elect, for you will find
find the kingdom; for since the Kingdom! Because you
you came from it you shall have issued from it, you
return to it." will return to it again."
Scholarly Quotes
Robert M. Grant and David Noel Freedman write: "The 'single' or 'solitary' ones will
find the kingdom or, in Saying 75, will enter the bridechamber. They are no more
from the world than Jesus himself is (John 17:16); they are one as Jesus and the
Father are one (John 17:23). Where Jesus is, they will also be (John 17:24)." (The
Secret Sayings of Jesus, p. 160)
Helmut Koester points out a parallel to John 16:28: "I have come out from the Father
and I have come into the world. I am again leaving the world and return to the
Father." (Ancient Christian Gospels, p. 121)
Gerd Ludemann writes: "The beatitude moves from the third person plural to the
second person plural in the same way as the beatitude in Logion 54. For the 'solitary
ones' cf. 4.2; 16.4; 75, etc. For the notion that the solitary ones are the elect cf. 23.1-
2." (Jesus After 2000 Years, p. 614)
Funk and Hoover write: "Thomas 49 and 50 constitute a miniature catechism for
Thomean Christianity. Thomas 49 depicts Thomas Christians as those who have
come into the world from another realm, to which they will one day return. This is a
central tenet of the mythology of gnosticism." (The Five Gospels, p. 502)
"Superior" in this sense
might not indicate ego-
aggrandisement, but simply
highlight the heightened
value of this state to the
spiritual seeker. Coming
forth and returning are
classic mystical experiences
of the "solitary" state.
- Kailas
While this verse refers to the
solitary and elect/superior,
we all in fact came into the
world from another realm
and will return there at our
death in this world. The
solitary and elect who work
at achieving the knowledge
have only an advantage in
figuring it out in any given
life, not a preference over the
rest of humanity.
- active mystic
You were sent to this world
and arrived asleep [solitary]
--- the elect [prophets etc]
are however different being
more advantageously
breeched at the outset. You
will [hopefully] be awakened
and correctly so, and thus be
eligible to reurn whence you
came, enobled. It is a process
[cf St George & the Dragon
& similar]
- Thief37
The blind lead the blind.
Don't follow the blind.
- Random
49

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