Graphic Bible · Scene 1 of 1

Hands test a sword against an unadorned plaster wall.
AI-generated artwork interprets the Gospel of Thomas. Text is quoted from the People's Open Bible Historical Library; imagery does not establish historical events. Interpretive visual essay of this saying, not a historical reconstruction.

Historical Library · Nag Hammadi

Images illustrate this work’s literary teaching, not authenticated historical events or portraits.

Source and translation notes

Anonymous. The prologue attributes the sayings to Didymos Judas Thomas; this is not proof of historical authorship.

Nag Hammadi Codex II (NHAM 02), pp. 32–51 · Sahidic Coptic with Lycopolitan features

Source edition: Coptic Scriptorium — Paul Dilley, 2025 (v6.2.0) · CC-BY 4.0

POB source revision and machine cross-check records do not establish independent scholarly certification.

Prologue 0 and sayings 1-114 are retained. Numbered paragraphs within a saying are modern reader units, not ancient verse numbering.

    Gospel of Thomas 98:1

    Testing the Hand

    Story guide: The wall test follows the parable’s stated preparation without adding a duel.

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    1Jesus said, “The Father’s kingship is like a man who wanted to kill a magnate. He drew the sword in his house and drove it into the wall, so that he might find out whether his hand would be strong enough; then he killed the magnate.”

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