jewish-christian gospels and syriac gospel traditions Ps.-Clem. Rec...–
ScribaequoqueetPharisaei in aliud schisma deducuntur. sed hi baptizati
ab Iohanne, et velutclavemregnicaelorum verbum veritatis tenentes ex
Moysei traditionesusceptum, occultarunt ab auribus populi.
Ps.-Clem. Hom...
α7τ4ν δ" ε:πεν ς τ2νκλε δατςασιλεας πεπιστευμ νων,Yτις στ,ν
γν4σις,Z μ!ν ητ2ν π$λ ην τς ως ν #αι δ$ναται,δι’[ς μ!νης ε/ς
τ2ν α/ωναν ω2ν ε/σελε ν >στιν.λλ& να(1ησν),κρατσι μ"ν τ2ν
κλε ν,τ ς δε υλμ νις ε/σελε ν 7 παρ 6υσιν.
Thomas’ Relation to the Synoptic Gospels
The original wording of Q in Luke :/Matt : is not easy to
reconstruct but no matter how it is done, it is clear that in this case,
Thomasfollows at least the canonical Matthew and Luke/Q. First of
all,Thomasagrees with Matthew’s “scribes and Pharisees,” and it is
generally accepted that this is Matthew’s editorial formulation.^90 It is
possible to argue that, in other parts of the saying, Thomas is follow-
ing the original Q although there is no consensus about this:Thomas
agrees with Luke’s “key(s) of knowledge” against Matthew’s “locking
people out of the kingdom of heaven,” and here Luke may have fol-
lowed the original wording of Q.^91 Furthermore,Thomasand Matthew
use the verb1ημιwhile Luke hasκωλ$ωwhich is often used in
Lukan writings (NT ; Luke-Acts ). Thus,Thomasand Matthew’s
1ημιmay also be closer to the Q-wording. Nevertheless, it is clear
thatThomas’ saying combines at least Matthean and Lukan/Q elements
with each other and connects the unit with a saying to be found else-
where in Matthew’s gospel. The same phenomenon was observed in
logion .
It is likely that the author/editor of theGospel of Thomaswas responsi-
ble for the combination of the keys of knowledge saying with the wise as
serpents saying. Concerning the wise asserpents saying, we may note that
the first part of the verse Matt : is from Q (Luke :/Matt :a)
(^90) See Luz , –. Patterson (, ), who argues for the independence of
Thomas, also acknowledges the connection to Matthew but characterizes it as a relatively
late harmonization, a text critical problem.
(^91) See, for instance, Luz , .