Logion 30

30. Jesus said, “Where there are three gods, they are gods. Where there are two or one, I am with him.”
(The Greek text follows this with the last two phrases of Th 77 reversed:)
“Lift up the stone, and ye will find me there. Cleave a piece of wood, and I am there.”
Mt 18:20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

It appears that the Greek version may serve as a transition to the interpretation that Matthew has given to this pericope. Jesus seems to be saying that having three objects of worship fails to allow room for his teachings, whereas his sayings will augment worship of one or two gods. In the case of two gods, perhaps he is speaking of the situation where the husband and wife each bring their own tradition as they build their new family. The last two phrases from logion 77 make room for Jesus among the mysteries of nature. Matthew has made the gods who are objects of worship into subjects who worship God as Christians.

Works of Wonder | Table of Contents