SECOND TREATISE OF THE GREAT SETH (NHC VII, 2)

A Gnostic revelatory monologue given by Jesus Christ to a congregation of “perfect and incorruptible ones.” The title, given in Greek at the end, is curious because no mention is made in the text of Seth. The text, containing polemics against Christians who are identifiably orthodox, features a docetic interpretation of Jesus’ Crucifixion that has the spiritual Savior laughing above at the folly of those below crucifying his fleshly body.

The Second Treatise of the Great Seth, extant only in Coptic, was originally composed in Greek, probably in late second-century Egypt.

GAWDAT GABRA