Research Guides: RELG 222: Gnosticism (HC): Working with Texts

Critical Editions

These critical editions of Gnostic titles include texts in the original language, translations (in English or French), analytic commentary, notes with additional information, and bibliographhies. Some of the editions also cite the ancient works that are relevant, including Biblical, patristic, and Greek and Roman literature. Not all Gnostic texts have been treated in these critical editions.

To find other commentaries not listed here, check in Tripod or, for greater scope, WorldCat. Search the text's English title either as a Subject or a Title: Example: apocryphon of john [Subject Search] = 60 results Including:

The secret revelation of John

by King, Karen L., 1954-
Published Harvard University Press, 2006

Subjects: '; “...Apocryphon of John Criticism, interpretation, etc...”

H Magill BT 1392 A752 K56 2006

S McCabe BT 1392 A752 K56 2006

Bibliothèque Copte de Nag Hammadi
This series of French language individual text volumes (currently at 35 titles) offers more extensive commentary and notes than the Coptic Gnostic Library.
Coptic Gnostic Library Series
James Robinson and others prepared individual volumes of critical editions of texts in the Claremont Colleges sponsored Coptic Gnostic Library project. This link shows all the volumes available in the three colleges.
One other volume is on order for Magill:
Nag Hammadi Codices: Greek and Coptic Papyri from the Cartonnage of the Covers.
The Coptic gnostic library: a complete edition of the Nag Hammadi codices
This five-volume set compiles and condenses the critical editions (immediately above) done separately by Robinson beginning in 1975.
Gospel of Judas
This recently done critical edition also includes translations and editions for the Letter of Peter to Philip, James, and a Book of Allogenes from the Codex Tchacos. Haverford has copies of the 2006 edition.

Gnostic Texts and the Bible

Nag Hammadi texts and the Bible: A synopsis and index
This work identifies the use of Biblical literature in the Nag Hammadi texts. Biblical passages are quoted or cited side by side with the gnostic texts. Possible parallels are also referenced. See the book's introduction for more details on the methodology.

Searching across Gnostic Texts

Nag Hammadi Library Index Search
The Gnosis Archive makes this search engine available. You can find English language terms across all the translations on the website.
Search results identify the Gnostic text title. When you link, do a find (Control F) in order to see your search word in its full context.

Nag Hammadi Text

Ending of the Apocryphon of John and the beginning of the Gospel of Thomas (Wikimedia Commons)