English
Jesus said, ‘Many people are standing at the door, but the single ones will enter the bridal chamber.’
Interpretation
Drawing from a parable found in Matthew, Thomas adds to the previous series of analogies which stress the small number of people who are devoted to the message of Jesus. The author saw in the Matthean parable a chance to reiterate the ascetic ‘singleness’ found in other late additions to the book.
Parallels
Matthew
25.1–12 ‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us. You had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” ’