Mandaean Book of John

The Mandaean Book of John is one of the sacred scriptures of Mandaeism. It is written in Mandaic, an Eastern Aramaic dialect.

Quotes

Haberl, Charles; McGrath, James (2020). The Mandaean Book of John: critical edition, translation, and commentary. Berlin: De Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-048651-3.

• It is the voice of Manda d’Heyyi

that calls and teaches his friends.

He teaches the righteous elect

about the secrets of this world.

“The world full of secrets and hints,

the world is full of secrets,

secrets which none know.”

• Chapter 42 (p. 131)

• I saw my father, I saw him,

and I gave him three requests.

I asked him for a great heart,

which can be carried by the big and the little.

I asked him for calmness,

in which there is no rebellion.

I asked him for a level path,

to rise to light’s place in peace.

• Chapter 46 (p. 137)

• A treasure am I—Life’s Treasure! (simat ana, simat hiia)

A treasure am I—the Mighty’s Treasure! (simat ana, simat rurbia)

A treasure am I—Life’s Treasure!

A crown was I, before the Mighty!

A treasure am I—Life’s Treasure!

I brought light to excellencies and settlements,

and was a glimmer upon the Jordan.

A glimmer upon the Jordan was I,

for which there were no forerunners,

in which excellencies shine.

The Great [Life] certainly instructed me,

and made me into a garment.

They make me their garment every day,

and praise the air continually.

• Chapter 57 (p. 167)

See also

• Ginza Rabba
• Qulasta
• Gnosticism
• Gospel of Philip
• Nag Hammadi library

References

• Häberl, Charles G.; McGrath, James F. (2020). The Mandaean Book of John: critical edition, translation, and commentary. Berlin: De Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-048651-3.

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Mandaean Book of John on Wikipedia