The Gospel of Philip and Judaism

Judaism and the The Gospel of Philip

The Gospel of Philip shows some close links with Judaism. Indeed the gospel begins with the introduction “A Hebrew makes another Hebrew” in 51.29-31. 5 

A Hebrew makes a Hebrew, and such a person is called a convert. A convert does not make a convert. [Some people] are as they [are] and make others [like them], while others [52] simply are.

Inheriting the Living and the Dead

A slave seeks only to be free and does not seek the master’s estate.

For a child it is not enough to be a child, but a child claims the father’s inheritance.

Heirs to the dead are dead, and what they inherit is dead. Heirs to the living are alive, and they inherit both the living and the dead. The dead inherit nothing, for how could a dead person inherit? If a dead person inherits the living, the living will not die and the dead will come to life.

Jesus, Gentiles, Christians

A gentile does not die, never having been alive so as to die. One who has believed in truth is alive, but this person is at risk of dying just by being alive.

Since Christ came, the world has been created, cities have been beautified, and the dead have been buried.

When we were Hebrews we were orphans, with only a mother, but when we became Christians we had a father and a mother

Faith receives, love gives. [No one can [62] receive] without faith, and no one can give without love. So to receive we have faith and to love we give. If someone gives without love, that person gets no benefit from what was given.

Jesus’s Names

The apostles who came before us used the names Isous nazraios messias, which means “Jesus the Nazorean, the Christ.” The last name is “Christ,” the first name is “Jesus,” the middle name is “the Nazarene.” Messias has two meanings, “Christ” and “measured.” In Hebrew “Jesus” means “redemption.” Nazara means “truth,” and so “the Nazarene” means “truth.” “Christ” has been “measured,” thus “the Nazarene” and “Jesus” have been measured out.

The Name “Christian”

If you say, “I am a Jew,” no one will be moved. If you say, “I am a Roman,” no one will be disturbed. If you say, “I am a Greek, barbarian, slave, free,” no one will be troubled. If you say, “I am a Christian,” the [world] will be shaken. May I [receive the one] whose name the [world] cannot bear to hear.

A horse brings forth a horse, a human brings forth humans, a deity brings forth deities. So also bridegrooms and brides come from the [bridegroom and bride].

No Jews…from Greeks…from Jews…to Christians. [There was another generation of people], and these [blessed people] were called the chosen spiritual ones, [76] true humankind, the child of humankind, and the offspring of the child of humankind. This true generation is renowned in the world, and this is where the attendants of the bridal chamber are.

Anyone who receives something but does not receive the lord is still a Hebrew.

There are several other references to Judaism as well. The next verses says, “A gentile does not die, for he has never lived in order that he may die."He said on that day in the prayer of thanksgiving (Passover), You who have united perfect light with holy spirit, unite the angels also with us, as images.

30. He said on that day in the Eucharistº: Oh Thou who have matedº the Perfect Light with the Sacred Spirit,¹ mate also our angels with the imagesº! (¹NB in Hebrew/Aramaic the word ‘light’ [rw)] is masculine, while ‘spirit’ [xwr] is feminine; hyperlinear)

Eucharist: Greek ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΑ (well-joying, thanksgiving); the service of bread and wine or the last supper (Lk 22:14-20);

the Christian tradition of celebrating the Eucharist developed out of Passover traditions


This is a clear indication of some empathy toward Judaism. Also, there is reference to the Jewish Temple. In verses 69.14-24 there is discussion of the Temple and “the holy,” “the holy of the holy,” and the “holy of the holies." Each of these is compared with a Gnostic ritual service and so valued quite highly.

There is an association in The Gospel of Philip between Gnostic ritual service and the Temple in Jerusalem. It says in 69.14-25, “Baptism is ‘the holy’ building. Redemption is ‘the holy of the holy.’ ‘The holy of the holies’ is the bridal chamber."


The verses that follow these references to the Temple associate baptism with resurrection and redemption, redemption with bridal chamber, and makes note that bridal chamber is superior.

Lastly, in reference to the serpent from The Book of Genesis it says in 61.6-8, “First adultery came into being, afterward murder. And he was begotten in adultery, for he was the child of the serpent."


Many Gnostic works venerate the serpent figure of Genesis. The opinion of the serpent here may be an indication of the earliness of this gospel and of its close ties to Judaism. All of these elements combine to show that it is possible that this Gnostic sect may have grown out of a Judaic-Christian community. At any rate they show a deep respect for Judaism.