Nag Hammadi

Where to read

Begin with the Gospel of Thomas, saying 5, in Mark M. Mattison’s English translation on Gospels.net. The ancient text is anonymous; it presents sayings attributed to Jesus. Mattison is the modern translator, not the ancient author. His online edition can be read without signing in or buying a book.

Read the Gospel of Thomas on Gospels.net ↗ (opens in a new tab) Prepare the first reading

On the publisher’s page, use Find for Saying 5: Hidden and Revealed. Read its one paragraph, then stop before saying 6. Return to the guide for the inquiry and reflection. If the external page does not open, the guide includes a short credited excerpt and a complete reading alternative.

This selected edition and passage were checked on 2 October 2026. Translation credits and access notes explain the scope of that check. Other editions have their own translators, editorial choices and rights; check the credit beside the particular text you open.

History and images

A translation lets you read a text’s meaning as rendered by its translator. Claremont’s Nag Hammadi Archive offers manuscript photographs and related records: evidence about the surviving books, rather than a substitute for an English translation. Historical overviews help you place the collection in context; follow their references when investigating a particular claim.

How this differs from practical Gnosis

Modern religious interpretation is another kind of source. Ecclesia Gnostica offers a living church’s perspective; practical Gnosis in the Samael Aun Weor stream has its own teachings and methods. Neither stands for every ancient text in this collection. Keep the ancient passage, the modern explanation and your own response distinct. Our traditions overview introduces these different settings.