COMMENTARY ON THE
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT THOMAS
Logion 63
| 63. Jesus said, "There was once a rich man who had many possessions. He said, `I shall put my money to use so that I may sow, reap, plant, and fill my storehouse, with the result that I shall lack nothing.' Such were the thoughts of his heart, and on that same night he died. O that he who hath ears might hear." | Lk 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, `What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?' And he said, `This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said unto him, `Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." |
The admonition of the Savior for him who has ears to hear to take heed occurs frequently in Thomas (8, 21, 63, 65, 96), as it does also in Mark. The word meaning 'obey' in Aramaic is an intensive form of the word meaning 'hear.' Some people are spiritually attuned to his message, these are to obey his words with that same spirit in which they are given.