In the Gospel of Thomas, saying 13 presents a mysterious moment where Jesus takes Thomas aside and speaks three secret words to him. The text does not reveal what these words are, leading to much speculation among scholars and mystics.
Here are some prominent interpretations:
1. Gnostic Interpretations
Since the Gospel of Thomas is associated with Gnostic traditions, some believe the three words could relate to key Gnostic concepts, such as:
- “You are divine” – Affirming the idea that self-knowledge leads to enlightenment.
- “Know yourself fully” – A central theme in Gnostic thought, aligning with the idea of discovering the divine spark within.
- “The Kingdom is within” – Echoing other sayings in Thomas that emphasize inward spiritual realization.
2. Jewish and Mystical Possibilities
Some scholars suggest the words may relate to sacred Hebrew concepts:
- The Ineffable Name of God (YHWH or a hidden pronunciation thereof)
- “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh” (“I Am That I Am”) – The divine self-identification from Exodus 3:14.
- A lost phrase from Jewish wisdom traditions.
3. Theological and Philosophical Guesses
- Some propose the words could be something like “Truth, Light, Life”, mirroring themes found in other early Christian texts.
- Others suggest they could relate to Jesus’ identity as the Logos or the divine word.
Since the text remains silent on what Jesus actually said, the “three hidden words” remain an open mystery—one that invites deep reflection and personal interpretation.
What did the Saints say?
There is no direct record of notable Christian saints explicitly commenting on the three hidden words from the Gospel of Thomas, as the text was not widely accepted in orthodox Christianity. However, if we look at mystical and theological themes from notable saints who emphasized divine wisdom and secret knowledge, we can infer possible interpretations.
1. St. Augustine (354–430) – The Word as Christ
Augustine, though critical of Gnostic texts, might suggest that the three words could point to Christ as “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). This aligns with his belief that salvation comes through knowing and following Christ.
2. St. Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–395) – Divine Ascent
Gregory, a mystic and theologian, emphasized spiritual ascent toward divine union. He might interpret the three words as something like “Light, Knowledge, Unity”, reflecting the soul’s journey toward God.
3. St. John of the Cross (1542–1591) – The Secret Union
John, a Carmelite mystic, wrote of the dark night of the soul, where divine knowledge is often hidden. He might see the words as related to mystical union, perhaps “Silence, Love, Mystery”, expressing the ineffable nature of divine truth.
4. St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) – The Cosmic Christ
Hildegard, a visionary, saw Christ as the cosmic Word. She might interpret the words as something like “Fiery Love, Wisdom, Breath”, reflecting divine creativity and spirit.
5. Meister Eckhart (1260–1328) – The Inner Godhead
Eckhart, a medieval mystic, taught that God is found in the depths of the soul. He might suggest that Jesus spoke “Be still, know”, aligning with his idea that true divinity is found in silence and self-awareness.
Though we cannot know for sure what the three words were, saints and mystics across history have consistently pointed toward self-knowledge, divine union, and inner transformation as the essence of Christ’s hidden teachings.
What about the Manichaeans?
The Manichaeans, as a dualistic and Gnostic-influenced religious movement, believed in a cosmic struggle between Light and Darkness. Though they did not directly comment on the Gospel of Thomas, their teachings offer clues about what the three hidden words might represent.
Some scholars suggest that if the Manichaeans had speculated on these words, they could have related to core Manichaean concepts, such as:
- “Light, Power, Wisdom” – Reflecting their belief in the divine Light trapped in the material world, the spiritual power needed for liberation, and the wisdom to achieve salvation.
- “Father, Mother, Son” – Mirroring the Manichaean Trinity, where the Father of Greatness (the highest God), the Mother of Life, and the Living Self (akin to the divine spark) play key roles in redemption.
- “Truth, Life, Liberation” – Representing the Manichaean path of knowledge (gnosis), which leads to salvation and escape from the material world.
Manichaeans saw Jesus as a revealer of hidden knowledge (similar to how he is portrayed in Thomas), so whatever the words were, they likely pointed to the secret knowledge (gnosis) that frees the soul from material bondage.
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