Dialogue of the Saviour

The Dialogue of the Saviour is the fifth and last tractate of codex III from the Nag Hammadi Library. The main content of the Dialogue of the Saviour is a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples, in a similar style to the Gospel of Thomas. The text starts with a monologue the Saviour delivers to his disciples about the theme of rest and the time of salvation. The Saviour tells them, “ Now the time has come, brothers and sisters, for us to leave our labour behind and stand at rest.” He adds, “For whoever stands at rest will rest forever.”

These words imply salvation has already come – a common theme in Gnostic texts. The Saviour also notes that he too has already come and opened the path for those who are ‘chosen and alone’. (cf Gospel of Thomas 49).

Conversely, the second part of the monologue refers to salvation yet to come at a future time, and the soul must still go through the archons’ dreadful places after ‘death’ so as to attain the realm of truth. Gnostics believe the archons, guardians of the spheres, try to detain the soul in its ascent. The Saviour implores the souls to neither fear the cosmic powers nor linger as they pass by. Only three of his disciples are named; Judas, Mary ( Magdalene) and Matthew, with Judas and Mary being the most praised in Gnostic literature.

Mary Magdalene receives the highest accolade of all from Jesus:- “Mary said, ‘So, the wickedness of each day is sufficient. Workers deserve their food. She spoke this utterance as a woman who understood everything.”

Some traditional sayings of Jesus are included in the Dialogue of the Saviour, together with frequent reminders of the Gospel of Thomas. For instance, “And I say to you, let one who has power renounce it and repent, and let one who knows seek and find and rejoice.”

The Mary Magdalene Trilogy by Julie de Vere Hunt