Ancient Gospel Left Out Of The Bible Uncovers 'Hidden' Teachings From Jesus That Could Change Everything

The Gospel of Thomas isn't included in the Bible, and that’s led to a lot of debate, especially since it shares sayings that are quite different from what’s in the Biblical Gospels.

There’s been a lot of buzz around it lately, particularly from people online. One Twitter user even claimed the Gospel was “banned” from the Bible.

That’s not entirely accurate. While it wasn’t banned per se, the Gospel of Thomas wasn’t selected for inclusion for a few key reasons. Plus, its contents don’t always line up with what’s commonly taught in other Biblical texts.

The Gospel of Thomas wasn't included in the Bible Getty Stock Images

What is the Gospel of Thomas?

According to Cross Examined, the Gospel of Thomas doesn’t read like a typical story. It doesn’t walk through the major moments of Jesus’ life or give any kind of biographical narrative.

Instead, the text is made up of 114 short, cryptic sayings — many of which are framed as secret teachings Jesus supposedly shared only with his closest followers.

One of those passages begins: "These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down."

In After the New Testament: A Reader in Early Christianity, Bart Ehrman suggests that the Gospel of Thomas was likely written sometime early in the second century. However, some of the sayings in the document might be older and could even trace back to Jesus himself.

This dating has led many scholars to question whether the apostle Thomas actually wrote it. Since the apostles would have passed away by then, it’s unlikely he was the author.

But questions about timing aren’t the only reasons this Gospel didn’t make it into the Bible.

There are reportedly three main reasons the Gospel didn't make the cut Getty Stock Images

Why is the Gospel of Thomas not included in the Bible?

There are a few specific reasons why the Gospel of Thomas didn’t make the final cut. Cross Examined explains that early church leaders looked for three main things when deciding if a text should be considered part of the official Bible.

First, the document needed to be linked to someone who had directly known Jesus — an apostolic eyewitness. And in the case of the Gospel of Thomas, it wasn’t.

In Christian tradition, apostolic eyewitnesses refer to people who were personally taught by Jesus and saw his life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection up close.

While it’s true there was an apostle named Thomas, the Gospel carrying his name is dated to the mid-second century. That’s long after the original apostles were gone.

Secondly, the teachings in the Gospel didn’t line up with what’s in the four accepted Gospels. It leaned heavily toward Gnostic beliefs, which were centered on secret knowledge and inner enlightenment ideas that the early church leaders saw as too far removed from their core teachings.

Lastly, the early church had already recognized just four Gospels. And with Thomas being so different, there was no push to shake things up by adding another, especially one that felt out of step with the others.

Still, that raises the big question — what exactly does this Gospel say that was so different it couldn’t be included with the others?

The messages in the Gospel differ somewhat to those in other biblical texts Getty Stock Images

Somewhat surprising messages in the Gospel of Thomas

Instead of telling stories about Jesus’ actions or focusing on his death and resurrection, the Gospel of Thomas presents him mainly as a teacher offering wisdom. According to Ph.D. scholar Marko Marina, it shifts the emphasis toward gaining salvation through understanding Jesus’ words rather than through his sacrifice.

In this Gospel, the real issue isn’t sin like many other Biblical texts suggest. Instead, the problem lies in ignorance — not knowing the truth about who we are and what’s around us.

One striking line from the text has Jesus say: "Recognize what is in your sight, and that which is hidden from you will become plain to you. For there is nothing hidden which will not become manifest."

Another well-known quote says: "And he said, 'The man is like a wise fisherman who cast his net into the sea and drew it up from the sea full of small fish. Among them the wise fisherman found a fine large fish. He threw all the small fish back into the sea and chose the large fish without difficulty. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.'"

The Gospel also offers a pretty unique perspective on where to find the “kingdom of God.”

For example, in one part, Jesus is quoted as saying: "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you."

However, many scholars don't consider the Apostle Thomas as the author of the document Getty Stock Images

"If they say to you, 'It's in the sea,' then the fish will precede you."

"Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it's outside of you."

While some critics argue that these teachings contradict the Bible, others see them as offering a different, but not necessarily clashing perspective. The two viewpoints don’t have to cancel each other out. They might actually help enrich the bigger picture.

And in the end, the idea that spiritual truth might be found within a person rather than through a church, a building, or any official authority is something that speaks to a lot of people today, especially those exploring faith in a more personal way.