A town in Upper Egypt near which, in 1945, farmers found a jar containing thirteen leather-bound Coptic codices of the fourth century. The library includes the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Truth and the Secret Book of James, and transformed the study of early Christian diversity. The codices are in the Coptic Museum, Cairo.
Where to start
Written or found here
4-
AD 225Late 2nd–3rd century (Coptic copy c. 350)
The Gospel of Philip
Unknown; tr. Mark M. Mattison
A Valentinian anthology of sayings and reflections on baptism, anointing, the Eucharist and the bridal chamber, preserved at Nag Hammadi. Often sensationalised for its lines on Mary Magdalene, it is evidence for early Christian ritual thought.
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AD 1251st–2nd century, disputed (Greek fragments c. 200–250; Coptic c. 350)
The Gospel of Thomas
Unknown (attributed to Didymos Judas Thomas); tr. Mark M. Mattison
A collection of 114 sayings of “the living Jesus”, complete in Coptic from Nag Hammadi with earlier Greek fragments from Oxyrhynchus. Many parallel the Synoptics; its date and independence are among the most debated questions in Gospel study.
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AD 160c. 140–180 (Coptic copies 4th c.)
The Gospel of Truth
Unknown (Valentinian, possibly Valentinus); tr. Mark M. Mattison
A second-century Valentinian meditation on how Jesus, “nailed to a tree”, made known the unknown Father and dispelled ignorance. Probably the work Irenaeus called the Gospel of Truth; preserved at Nag Hammadi.
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AD 1502nd century (Coptic copy 4th c.)
The Secret Book of James (Apocryphon of James)
Unknown (attributed to James); tr. Mark M. Mattison
A second-century letter in James’s name relating secret teaching of the risen Savior to James and Peter before his ascension: be “filled”, seek suffering, believe in the cross. Preserved only at Nag Hammadi.
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Every mention
14 writings- AD 125The Gospel of ThomasThe Other Gospels1×
- AD 150The Gospel of MaryThe Other Gospels1×
- AD 150The Gospel of JudasThe Other Gospels1×
- AD 150The Secret Book of James (Apocryphon of James)The Other Gospels4×
- AD 160The Gospel of TruthThe Other Gospels3×
- AD 180Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, Book IThe Early Church1×
- AD 225The Stranger’s Book (Allogenes, Codex Tchacos)The Other Gospels1×
- AD 225The Gospel of PhilipThe Other Gospels2×
- 1907G. R. S. Mead, The Gnostic Crucifixion (1907)The Other Gospels1×
- 2026Registry of Gospels and Their Canonical StatusThe Other Gospels12×
- 2026Guide to the research and the world before JesusThe Dossier1×
- 2026The documentary record of Jesus and the movements that interpreted himThe Dossier6×
- 2026From medieval devotion to the presentThe Dossier2×
- 2026Sources and further readingThe Dossier1×