The Hymn of the Pearl

One of the most elegant compositions of early Christianity, the “Hymn of the Pearl” is embedded in the third-century Acts of Thomas (see p. 122).1 Most scholars agree, however, that the hymn was composed by a different hand and at an earlier date. On the surface, it appears to be a simple folktale of a prince sent by his royal parents on a mission to snatch a pearl from the lair of a ravenous dragon in Egypt, only to arrive at his destination and forget his task and identity, needing a message from the royal court to be awakened from his torpor and reminded of who he is. He then seizes the pearl and returns to the glories of his father’s realm. The hymn may be something far more than a simple folk tale, however. Hints within the text itself—such as the “knowledge” (literally “gnosis”) connected with the prince’s heavenly garment (l. 88)—along with parallels to other literature, suggest that the story represents a Gnostic allegory of the incarnation of the soul, which enjoys a glorious heavenly existence (“my father’s palace”) from which it descends (to “Egypt”) to become entrapped in matter (“clothed myself in garments like theirs”). Forgetting whence it came, the soul eventually relearns its true nature from a divine emissary. When it awakens to its true identity (“son of kings”), it returns to its heavenly home where it receives the full knowledge of itself. If the “Hymn of the Pearl” was written in a Gnostic milieu, only later to be incorporated into the Acts of Thomas, it may have been composed sometime in the late second century.

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When I was a little child, in my father’s palace, And enjoyed the wealth and luxury of those who nurtured me, My parents equipped me with provi-

sions and sent me out from the East, our homeland. From the wealth of our treasury they gave me a great burden,

See further Ehrman, Lost Christianities, 39–41.

Translation by J. K. Elliott, Apocryphal New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1993) 488–91; used with permission.

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THE HYMN OF THE PEARL

Which was light so that I could carry it by myself: 6 Gold from the land above, silver from great treasuries, 7 And stones, chalcedonies of India and agates from Kushan. 8 And they girded me with steel, 9 And they took away from me the garment set with gems and spangled with gold Which they had made out of love for me 10 And the yellow robe which was made for my size, 11 And they made a covenant with me And wrote it in my mind that I might not forget: 12 “If you go down to Egypt and bring the one pearl 13 Which is in the land of the devouring serpent, 14 You shall put on again that garment set with stones and the robe which lies over it, 15 And with your brother, our next in command, you shall be a herald for our kingdom.” 16 So I departed from the East on a difﬁcult and frightening road led by two guides, 17 And I was very young to travel on it. 18 I passed over the borders of the Mosani, where there is the meetingplace of the merchants of the East, 19 And reached the land of the Babylonians. 20 I went down to Egypt, and my companions parted from me. 21 I went straight to the serpent and stayed near his den 22 Until he should slumber and sleep, so that I might take the pearl from him. 23 Being alone I altered my appearance and seemed an alien even to my own people, 5

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24 But I saw one of my kinsmen there,

a freeborn man from the East, 25 A youth fair and beautiful, the son of

courtiers. 26 He came and kept me company. 27 And I made him my intimate friend,

a comrade with whom I communicated my business. 28 Being exhorted to guard against the Egyptians and against partaking of unclean things, 29 I clothed myself in garments like theirs, so that I would not be seen as a stranger 30 And as one who had come from abroad to take the pearl, Lest the Egyptians might arouse the serpent against me. 31 But somehow they learned that I was not their countryman. 32 They dealt with me treacherously, and I tasted their food. 33 I no longer recognized that I was a king’s son, and I served their king. 34 I forgot the pearl for which my parents had sent me. 35 And I fell into a deep sleep because of the heaviness of their food. 36 While I was suffering these things my parents were aware of it and grieved over me, 37 And a proclamation was heralded in our kingdom that all should present themselves at our doors. 38 The kings of Parthia and those in ofﬁce, and the great men of the East 39 Resolved that I should not be left in Egypt. 40 So the courtiers wrote me a letter: 41 “From your father the king of kings and your mother, the mistress of the East 42 And their brothers, who are second to us, To our son in Egypt, greetings!

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NON-CANONICAL APOCALYPSES AND REVELATORY TREATISES

43 Awake, and rise from your sleep. 44 Listen to the words in this letter, Re-

68 And with familial love leading me

member you are the son of kings, You have fallen beneath the yoke of slavery. 45 Remember your gold-spangled garment, 46 Recall the pearl for which you were sent to Egypt, 47 Your name has been called to the book of life, 48 Together with that of your brother whom you have received in our kingdom.” 49 And the king sealed it to make it an ambassador, 50 Because of the wicked Babylonian children and the tyrannical demons of the Labyrinth. 53 I rose from sleep when I recognized its voice, 54 I took it up and kissed it and I read. 55 And what was written concerned that which was engraved on my heart. 56 And I immediately remembered that I was a son of kings and that my freedom demanded my people. 57 I remembered the pearl for which I had been sent to Egypt, 58 And the fact that I had come to snatch it from the terrifying serpent. 59 I subdued it by calling out my father’s name, 61 And I snatched the pearl and turned about to go to my parents. 62 And I took off the dirty clothing and left it behind in their land. 63 And directed my way forthwith to the light of our Eastern home. 64 And on the road I found a female who lifted me up. 65 She awakened me, giving me an oracle with her voice, and guided me to the light, 66 The Royal silken garment shone before my eyes.

69 I passed by the Labyrinth, And leav-

and drawing me on ing Babylon behind on the left, 70 I reached Meson which is a great

coast. 75 But I could not recall my splendor,

For it had been when I was still a child and quite young that I had left it behind in my father’s palace. 76 But, when suddenly I saw my garment reﬂected as in a mirror, 77 I perceived in it my whole self as well And through it I knew and saw myself. 78 For though we originated from the one and the same we were partially divided, Then again we were one, with a single form. 79 The treasurers too who had brought the garment 80 I saw as two beings, but there existed a single form in both, One royal symbol consisting of two halves. 81 And they had my money and wealth in their hands and gave me my reward: 82 The ﬁne garment of glorious colors, 83 Which was embroidered with gold, precious stones, and pearls to give a good appearance. 84 It was fastened at the collar. 86 And the image of the King of Kings was all over it. 87 Stones of lapis lazuli had been skillfully ﬁxed to the collar, 88 And I saw in turn that motions of knowledge were stirring throughout it, 89 And that it was prepared to speak. 90 Then I heard it speak: 91 “It is I who belong to the one who is stronger than all people and for

THE HYMN OF THE PEARL

whose sake I was written about by the father himself.” 92 And I took note of my stature, 93 And all the royal feelings rested on me as its energy increased. 94 Thrust out by his hand the garment hastened to me as I went to receive it, 95 And a longing aroused me to rush and meet it and to receive it. 96 And I stretched out and took it and adorned myself with the beauty of its colors. 97 And I covered myself completely with my royal robe over it. 98 When I had put it on I ascended to the land of peace and homage. 99 And I lowered my head and prostrated myself before the splendor

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of the father who had sent it to me. 100 For it was I who had obeyed his commands And it was I who had also kept the promise, 101 And I mingled at the doors of his ancient royal building. 102 He took delight in me and received me in his palace. 103 All his subjects were singing hymns with harmonious voices. 104 He allowed me also to be admitted to the doors of the king himself, 105 So that with my gifts and the pearl I might appear before the king himself.

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