The Critical Edition of Q (Parts 1–4)
The reconstructed sayings source shared by Matthew and Luke — the oldest recoverable layer of Jesus's own words. Predates all four canonical gospels.
The Original Jesus
The Oldest Record of Who Jesus Really Was
43 ancient sources — written during and up to two hundred years after the life of Jesus of Nazareth — by the people who walked with him and the historians who documented his world. These are the oldest surviving records of who Jesus was, what he said, how he felt, how he communicated, and how he lived his life.
Almost none of these texts appear in the religious sources used today. Not in the King James Bible. Not in the NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, or The Message. Entire gospels, sayings collections, and eyewitness accounts were left out of every modern Bible in circulation.
Now you can talk with the most original version of Jesus of Nazareth — reconstructed entirely from these first- and second-century sources — about any topic, at any time.
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The Sources
Every text in this collection was written between approximately 30 CE and 250 CE. Together, they form the most complete surviving record of the historical Jesus — and almost none of them appear in any Bible used today.
The Foundation
Gospel of Thomas (Full)
114 sayings attributed to Jesus, discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945. Many scholars consider it independent of the canonical gospels and partially older than them.
The Signs Gospel
A reconstructed narrative of Jesus's miracles believed to be one of the sources behind the Gospel of John.
Didache (Full)
"The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles" — one of the earliest Christian documents, containing instructions that may predate Paul's letters.
New Testament Greek (Parts 1–5)
The original Greek text of the New Testament writings, before any English translation shaped the meaning.
Load-Bearing Sources
Gospel of the Hebrews (Fragments)
Used by Jewish-Christian communities in the 1st–2nd century. Preserves sayings and traditions not found in the canonical gospels.
Gospel of the Ebionites (Fragments)
Another Jewish-Christian gospel that presents Jesus within a strictly monotheistic, Torah-observant framework.
Gospel of the Nazarenes (Fragments)
Closely related to Matthew but containing unique sayings and variant traditions from early Jewish Christianity.
Sayings of Jesus
Collected sayings attributed to Jesus from various early sources, including some not preserved elsewhere.
Dead Sea Scrolls (Selections)
Texts from the Jewish community at Qumran, providing the immediate religious and cultural context of Jesus's world.
Contextual and Interpretive Sources
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
A 2nd-century gospel in which Mary Magdalene is presented as a primary recipient of Jesus's private teachings.
Gospel of Philip (Full)
A Valentinian text from Nag Hammadi containing sayings, parables, and theological reflections attributed to Jesus.
Gospel of Judas (Full)
A 2nd-century Sethian text presenting a radically different account of Jesus's relationship with Judas.
Gospel of Peter (Akhmim Fragment)
An early passion narrative with details not found in the canonical accounts, including a dramatic resurrection scene.
Apocryphon of James (Selections)
A "secret book" of James containing post-resurrection dialogues between Jesus and his disciples.
Dialogues of the Savior (Selections)
A Nag Hammadi text recording conversations between Jesus and three disciples about the nature of truth and the cosmos.
Egerton Papyrus 2 (Fragments)
One of the oldest surviving fragments of any gospel — possibly independent of all four canonical gospels.
Secret Gospel of Mark
A controversial fragment quoted by Clement of Alexandria, suggesting a longer, esoteric version of Mark's gospel.
P.Oxy 840
A tiny parchment fragment preserving a confrontation between Jesus and a Pharisaic priest about ritual purity.
P.Oxy 1224
Papyrus fragments containing sayings of Jesus not found in any canonical gospel.
Agrapha (Patristic Citations)
Sayings of Jesus quoted by early church fathers that appear in no surviving gospel — words remembered but never canonized.
Epistula Apostolorum (Selections)
A 2nd-century letter framed as post-resurrection dialogue between Jesus and all eleven remaining apostles.
Late Tradition and Narrative Sources
Acts of Thomas (Full)
The story of the apostle Thomas's mission to India, containing early hymns and prayers attributed to Jesus.
Acts of John (Full)
An account of John's ministry containing a mystical "Round Dance of the Cross" — a hymn sung by Jesus.
Acts of Paul (Full)
Stories of Paul's journeys including the narrative of Thecla and unique traditions about Jesus's teaching.
Acts of Andrew (Full)
The earliest account of Andrew's ministry, containing speeches that reflect early Christian theology and ethics.
Apocalypse of Peter (Full)
One of the earliest Christian apocalypses — a vivid guided tour of heaven and hell attributed to Jesus.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (Full)
Stories of Jesus as a child, performing miracles and learning to control his power.
Protevangelium of James
The most influential early account of Mary's birth, childhood, and the nativity of Jesus.
The Protoevangelium of James: Mary, Purity and Womanhood
Scholarly analysis of how this text shaped Christian views of Mary and womanhood.
The Protoevangelium of James (Original Greek)
The Greek text of the Protevangelium for scholarly reference.
Odes of Solomon (Full)
42 early Christian hymns — among the oldest surviving Christian poetry, filled with imagery of light, water, and divine love.
Historical and Scholarly Context
Josephus (Citations)
The 1st-century Jewish historian's references to Jesus — the earliest non-Christian testimony to his existence.
Philo of Alexandria (Logos Selections)
The Jewish philosopher whose "Logos" theology directly shaped how early Christians understood Jesus as the Word.
Apocalyptic / Son of Man (Selections)
Jewish apocalyptic texts that shaped Jesus's self-understanding and his use of the title "Son of Man."
New Testament Biblical Apocrypha and the Exclusion of Apocalypses from the Canon
Scholarship on why certain texts were included in the Bible and others were deliberately excluded.