What is the Infancy Gospel of Thomas?

Answer

Most individuals are acquainted with the four canonical Gospels. Nevertheless, there were alternative narratives about Jesus that circulated in the early church and some that were composed at a later time. Some of these accounts have only recently come to light. These writings were not endorsed by the early church as inspired Scripture. While some may have contained elements of accuracy or utility, they were not considered inspired. Others were neither accurate nor beneficial, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas falls into this latter category.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have been acknowledged by the church since the beginning as precise retellings of the life and teachings of Jesus written by apostles or individuals closely associated with apostles. Matthew and John were two of the original disciples. Mark is believed to have been based on Peter’s teachings. Luke collaborated with Paul in ministry and also consulted eyewitnesses to Christ’s life. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas purports to be authored by “Thomas the Israelite,” but the writer remains unidentified beyond that. He is not identified as Thomas the Apostle. The author does mention that the events recorded “occurred in my region.”

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas comprises a collection of tales about Jesus’ early years. It should not be mistaken for the Gospel of Thomas, which has gained popularity in recent times. Early references to the Gospel of Thomas likely pertain to the Infancy Gospel rather than the Gospel of Thomas as it is known today. Scholars date the composition of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas to the second century, significantly later than the first-century origins of the canonical Gospels.

The canonical Gospels provide limited information about Jesus’ childhood. The “Christmas story” of His birth in a stable, the shepherds, and the wise men can be found in Luke 2 and Matthew 2. Luke also recounts Jesus’ dedication in the temple and His interactions with various individuals.With Simeon and Anna. Finally, Luke recounts the incident when Jesus, at the age of 12, is separated from Joseph and Mary, and they find Him in the temple discussing things with the learned teachers. Luke summarizes Jesus’ childhood: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” «And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.», (Luke 2:52). Mark and John do not mention Jesus’ childhood.

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas presents a variety of imaginative stories about this phase of Jesus’ life. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas includes the following miracles that Jesus is said to have performed:

• Bringing dried fish back to life (in some later versions)

• Giving life to clay sparrows that Jesus had shaped on the Sabbath

• Cursing a boy who then dies

• Cursing a boy who dies and also his parents, who are then blinded

• Reviving a friend who had died from falling off a roof (given the nature of the Jesus depicted in this “Gospel,” the parents accuse Jesus of pushing him off the roof)

• Healing a man who had cut off part of his foot while chopping wood

• Transporting water in a cloak after accidentally breaking the water jar

• Planting one grain and reaping one hundred measures at harvest

• Extending a piece of wood to assist Joseph, the carpenter, in making a bed for a wealthy client

• Healing James from a snake bite

• Bringing back to life a child who had died from an illness

• Resurrecting a man who had died in an accident

Additionally, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas includes several instances where Jesus is shown to be more knowledgeable than His age suggests and teaching His instructors. The final incident mirrors the last event in Luke 2, where Jesus engages in discussions in the temple with the teachers.

In certain sections, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas depicts Jesus as a violent, petulant child.

ild. In one incident, after Jesus blinds the parents of a boy He struck dead, Joseph reprimands Him: “When Joseph saw that Jesus had done such a thing, he got angry and grabbed his ear and pulled very hard. The boy became infuriated with him and replied, ‘It’s one thing for you to seek and not find; it’s quite another for you to act this unwisely. Don’t you know that I don’t really belong to you? Don’t make me upset.” This is not supposed to be Jesus as a teenager or young adult, but as a child of single-digit age.

The portrait of Jesus painted in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas is that of an insolent bully who uses His power frivolously. People are impressed with His sheer power and cleverness, but not with His kindness, as they are afraid of Him. After one display of Jesus’ abilities, “no one dared to anger him for fear of being cursed and maimed for life.” The Infancy Gospel of Thomas does not present Jesus as one who honors His parents or who grows in favor with His neighbors and therefore is at odds with what we know of Jesus the man.

Furthermore, it seems that John 2 presents the miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine as His first miracle. If this is so, then the Infancy Gospel of Thomas is in conflict with the inspired canonical Gospel of John about when Jesus performed His first miracle. Jesus never performed frivolous miracles, but they were always beneficial to others and signs that pointed to a greater truth. The tone and spirit of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas is contrary to everything we find in the canonical Gospels.

Since there are so few details about the period of Jesus’ childhood, people were tempted to fill in details. Some scholars think that the Infancy Gospel of Thomas was meant to demonstrate Jesus’ deity through a demonstration of power, but in reality, He appears to be more like a pagan god—capricious and prone to temper tantrums. It is with good reason that modern scholars reject the authenticity of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, as did the early church.

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