What is the Apocryphon of John?

Answer

The Apocryphon of John was written sometime in the second century AD and was immediately considered heretical by the early church. The text represents typical Gnostic religious beliefs, involving a complex arrangement of spiritual beings and the assertion that certain individuals possess special, secret knowledge. The Apocryphon of John falsely claims to be authored by the apostle John. Allegedly, this manuscript recounts a confidential revelation given to John by Jesus. Within it, the author provides a vivid, intricate narrative of events “behind the scenes” of creation, the fall of humanity, and the ministry of Jesus Christ. This piece is sometimes known as the Secret Book of John.

As an overtly Gnostic document, the Apocryphon of John offers little assistance in comprehending early Christian spirituality or culture. Nevertheless, it does offer valuable insights into the beliefs of early Gnostics. Early church fathers like Irenaeus referenced the Apocryphon of John in their rebuttal of heresy. The fundamental premise of the Apocryphon of John aligns with Gnostic spirituality in general, suggesting that specific individuals possess “true knowledge” in the form of exclusive secrets. Physical entities—particularly the human body and sexuality—are deemed inherently malevolent and in opposition to goodness. Consequently, such teachings result in an intricate dualistic mythology that contradicts historical accounts, inspired Scripture, and Christian teachings.

According to the Apocryphon of John, Jesus purportedly appeared to John shortly after the crucifixion and elucidated the “true account” of preceding events. This narrative posits the existence of a singular perfect being—the Monad—who brought forth a series of beings known as Aeons. The primary Aeon is a feminine entity named Barbelo, collaborating with the Monad in creating entities like Mind and Light. This “Light,” as per the Gnostic text, represents Jesus.

The Apocryphon of John co

Continues by claiming one of these Aeons, the female Sophia, breaks the order of creation by forming something without a male spirit’s involvement. The result is a lesser group of spiritual beings called Archons, starting with the wicked Yaltabaoth. Since he is ugly, Yaltabaoth is hidden by Sophia and kept unaware of the existence of the Aeons. He creates an entire world of his own—the world in which we now live—and postures as the god of that creation.

When Sophia admits her mistake to the Monad, he agrees to help as Sophia and others try to restore goodness to Yaltabaoth and his inferior creation. Their contact inspires Yaltabaoth’s attempt to create another class of being, reflecting his vague impression of the Monad. This being is Adam, the first man. Sophia then tricks Yaltabaoth into giving Adam the most crucial part of his spiritual essence. This makes the Archons angry, so they trap Adam in Eden.

In the twisted, Gnostic version of Eden, presented in the Apocryphon of John, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is something legitimately good, but it is concealed by jealous spiritual forces led by Yaltabaoth. Accordingly, the text claims it was Jesus who led Adam to eat of the tree. Not to be outdone, Yaltabaoth tricks Adam and Eve—Eve was accidentally created by Yaltabaoth from Adam—into having sex and making more humans. By suppressing the knowledge of these newly born people, Yaltabaoth seeks to maintain control over an ignorant and imperfect world.

In a series of conversational questions, John then asks Jesus about issues such as sin and salvation. Jesus’ response, per the Apocryphon of John, is to claim that His duty is to rouse people to knowledge. This false version of Jesus contacts people, and those who accept His special knowledge are saved from death.

Clearly, the content of the Apocryphon of John contradicts the Bible and Christian teachings. It’s not surprising, therefore, that it was never considered part of inspired Scripture. On the

On the contrary, early Church fathers condemned it as a clear falsehood. Despite its assertions, its later dating and unorthodox teachings disqualify the Apocryphon of John from being authored by the apostle John himself. Its primary value lies in aiding a deeper comprehension of the beliefs of early Gnostics, especially within the framework of the second century.