Saying 2

English

Jesus said, ‘Let whoever seeks not stop seeking until he finds. And when he finds [he will be disturbed. And when he is disturbed] he will be amazed. And when he is amazed, he will reign, and [having reigned, he will rest | he will reign over all].’

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Interpretation

Where the Greek text follows a sequence of Seek, Find, Be Amazed, the Coptic version includes the additional Be Disturbed. Additionally, where the Greek has the seeker acquire ‘rest’ in the end, the Coptic instead has them ‘reign over all’. There are similar themes in sapiential literature from Second Temple Judaism, that wisdom should be sought out, and that wisdom brings nobility. However, the only parallels to this saying in Christian literature come from the second century and later. Saying 2 should probably be understood as an addition from a later stage in the book’s development, reimagining a teaching from an earlier version (probably Saying 92 or 94).

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Parallels

Wisdom of Solomon

1.1–2 Love justice, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart, because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.

6.12, 17–20 Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. […] The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality, and immortality brings one near to God, so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.

Matthew

7.7–8 ‘Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’

Luke

11.9–10 ‘So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’