Gospel of Thomas - Chapter 037

Saying 35

(35) Jesus said, "It is not possible for anyone to enter the house of a strong man and take it by force unless he binds his hands; then he will (be able to) ransack his house."

Jesus is the Son over his house which is the church.

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

The word גרם strong also means 'cut off'. Jesus is the man who was 'cut off' from his people when he was made to die outside the camp.

This teaching is in the context of:

Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.

It would seem that Thomas would suggest that if the works (hands) of Christ were bound, then the house could be ransacked. But Jesus said his work could not be stopped:

Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Go to Gospel of Thomas - Chapter 038