Commentarius Thomae, auctore Symeone Metaphrasta
Standard abbreviation: Hypom. Thom.
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 228; CANT 248
Category: Apocryphal Acts
Related literature: Acts of Thomas
Compiled by: Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Hypomnema on Thomas, by Symeon Metaphrastes.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/hypomnema-on-thomas-by-symeon-metaphrastes/.
Created October 2023. Current as of January 2024.
1. SUMMARY
The encomium begins with some details about Thomas’ early life: he was born in Judea to a humble family and worked as a fisherman. During his time spent with Jesus he was eager to eager to endure the same punishment as Jesus—drawing here on the story of Lazarus and quoting John 11:16, “Let us also go, that we may die with him”). This self-less attitude earned Thomas the admiration of his fellow apostles. Recounted also is the Thomas’ doubt about Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:24–29). Thomas’ initial absence is justified as God reserving for the apostle another opportunity to see the risen Jesus, thus allowing him to be a more distinguished herald. Thomas is said also to have doubted because of “excessive joy” and was distraught that he would not be able to convince people about the resurrection if he did not witness it himself.
Then follows brief mentions of Jesus’ appearance to the Seven (including Thomas) on the Sea of Galilee, the meeting of the apostles and Jesus on the Mount of Olives, and Pentecost. With the drawing of lots, Thomas is sent to India, a land described as abundant in precious and luxurious goods but the people live in the mountains, mostly unclothed like animals. They are characterized also as idol worshippers and Thomas is praised for not forcing his beliefs upon them. Moved by admiration, the Indians begin to ask him about his lineage, religion and purpose, giving Thomas the opportunity to teach them about Jesus. Many convert, including some of the nobles, but the king remains unconvinced and commands him to be impaled on spears (cf. Acts Thom. 163–68). A multitude of the righteous watch as his soul ascends into heaven accompanied by angels.
When the son of the king falls ill, the king recalls the miracles performed by Thomas and goes to his tomb in search of a cure. The apostle’s body had been been removed, but the king orders dust from the ground to be touched to his son, and the boy recovers (cf. Acts Thom. 170).
Named Historical Figures and Characters: Caiaphas, Jesus Christ, Lazarus, Moses (patriarch), Nicodemus, Thomas (apostle).
Geographical Locations: Bethany, Egypt, India, Jerusalem, Judea, Mount of Olives.
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Church Slavic
Moscow, State Historical Museum (F. 80370), Sinodal Coll. 235 (384), fols. 343–354 (16th cent.) (= de Santos Otero 31)
Otero, Aurelio de Santos. Die handschriftliche Überlieferung der altslavischen Apokryphen. 2 vols. PTS 20 and 23. Berlin: De Gruyter, 1978–1981 (vol. 1, p. 91).
Thomson, Francis J. Review of Aurelio de Santos Otero, Die handscriftliche Überlieferung der altslavischen Apokryphen, vol. 1. Slavonic and East European Review 58 [1980]: 256–68 at 260 (with corrections to de Santos Otero vol. 1).
3.1.2 Greek (BHG 1835; additional manuscripts listed on Pinakes)
A Moscow, Gosudarstvennyj Istoričeskij Musej, Sinod gr. 180 (Vlád. 360)~ Pinakes
B Moscow, Gosudarstvennyj Istoričeskij Musej, Sinod gr. 175 (Vlád. 358), fols. 31r–37v (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes
C Moscow, Gosudarstvennyj Istoričeskij Musej, Sinod gr. 131 (Vlád. 359), fols. 170v–174r (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes
D Moscow, Gosudarstvennyj Istoričeskij Musej, Sinod gr. 140 (Vlád. 368), fols. 115v–121r (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes
London, British Library, Add. 36654, fols. 32v–39r (12th cent.)
Ivanov. C. A. “‘The Apostolic Siren’: Symeon Metaphrastes’ Hypomnema to St. Thomas, BHG 1835.” 309–24. (Greek edition based on ABCD, pp. 311–18; Russian translation, pp. 319–24).
Lippomano, Luigi (Aloisius Lipomanus). Sanctorum priscorum patrum vitae numero centum sexagintatres, per gravissimos et probatissimos auctores conscripta. 8 vols. Rome: ex Officina Salviana and Venice: ad Signum Spei, 1551–1560 (Latin translation, vol. 6, pp. 314v–316v).
Migne, Jacques Paul. Patrologiae cursus completus: Series graeca. Vol. 116. Paris: Cerf, 1891 (Latin translation from Surius, cols. 559–66).
Surius, Laurentius. De probatis sanctorum historiis. 6 vols. Cologne Agrippinae: Calenius and Quentel, 1572–1581 (reprint of Latin translation by Lipomanus, vol. 6, pp. 937–40).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.2.1 Russian
Ivanov. C. A. “‘The Apostolic Siren’: Symeon Metaphrastes’ Hypomnema to St. Thomas, BHG 1835.” 309–24. (Greek edition based on ABCD, pp. 311–18; Russian translation, pp. 319–24).
3.3 General Works
Lipsius, Richard A. Die Apokryphen Apostelgeschichten und Apostellegenden. Ein Beitrag zur altchristlichen Literaturgeschichte. 2 vols. Braunschweig: Schwetschke, 1883–1887 (vol. 1, pp. 244–45).