Editing Gospel of Thomas (section)

====Independence from synoptic gospels====
[[Stevan L. Davies]] argues that the apparent independence of the ordering of sayings in Thomas from that of their parallels in the synoptics shows that Thomas was not evidently reliant upon the canonical gospels and probably predated them.{{sfnp|Davies|1992}}{{sfnp|Davies|n.d.}} Some authors argue that Thomas was a source for Mark, usually considered the earliest of the synoptic gospels.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Johnson |first=Kevin |date=1997-01-01 |title=Mark's Use of the Gospel of Thomas Part Two |url=https://www.academia.edu/41451442 |journal=Neotestamentica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Davies |first=Stevan |date=December 1, 1996 |title=The use of the Gospel of Thomas in the Gospel of Mark |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/AJA2548356_472 |journal=Neotestamentica |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=307–334 |via=journals.co.za}}</ref> Several authors argue that when the logia in Thomas do have parallels in the synoptics, the version in Thomas often seems closer to the source. Theissen and Merz give sayings 31 ([[Rejection_of_Jesus#Hometown_rejection|Rejection at Nazareth]]) and 65 ([[Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen]]) as examples of this.{{sfnp|Theissen|Merz|1998|pp=38–39}} Koester agrees, citing especially the parables contained in sayings 8, 9, 57, 63, 64 and 65.{{sfnp|Koester|Lambdin|1996|p=125}} In the few instances where the version in Thomas seems to be dependent on the synoptics, Koester suggests, this may be due to the influence of the person who translated the text from Greek into Coptic.{{sfnp|Koester|Lambdin|1996|p=125}}

Koester also argues that the absence of narrative materials, such as those found in the canonical gospels, in Thomas makes it unlikely that the gospel is "an eclectic excerpt from the gospels of the New Testament".{{sfnp|Koester|Lambdin|1996|p=125}} He also cites the absence of the [[Eschatology|eschatological]] sayings considered characteristic of Q source to show the independence of Thomas from that source.{{sfnp|Koester|Lambdin|1996|p=125}}