description Nag Hammadi Library Overview
The Nag Hammadi Library is a collection of thirteen papyrus codices discovered near Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt in 1945. Written in Coptic and generally copied in the 4th century, the volumes preserve more than fifty works, including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and several texts associated with Gnostic traditions. The collection transformed scholarly access to diverse early Christian, philosophical, and religious writings.
help Nag Hammadi Library FAQ
What texts are included in the Nag Hammadi Library?
The 13 codices preserve more than 50 tractates, including the Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip, and Apocryphon of John. The collection also contains Hermetic and philosophical material, so not every work fits neatly under a single definition of Gnosticism.
Is the Gospel of Thomas a narrative about Jesus like the four canonical Gospels?
No, it is primarily a collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus rather than an account of his life, crucifixion, and resurrection. Its opening identifies the disciple Didymos Judas Thomas as the recorder of the secret sayings.
When were the Nag Hammadi codices written?
The surviving papyrus books were copied in Coptic during the fourth century. Many of the compositions are older and were probably translated from Greek originals.
Where were the codices discovered and where are they kept now?
Local farmers found the books near Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt in 1945, reportedly inside a sealed pottery jar. The codices were eventually assembled in the Coptic Museum in Cairo.
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