Credible Theories
Gnostic texts · Apocryphon of John (Nag Hammadi Codex II)

Archons build Adam's body

ReferenceApocryphon of John (Nag Hammadi Codex II)
Writtenc. 150–200 CE
SetCreation
The flawed creator Yaldabaoth and his rulers (archons) build a human body, each forming one part, but cannot make it move. They are tricked into breathing a higher power into it. Jealous of what they made, they lock Adam into a heavier material body. Later they send their angels to the daughters of men.

Summary by the editors. Translation: Summary in my own words

Read it literally

The makers of humans are not the highest beings, and they fear their own creation. A two-level hierarchy of visitors.

What scholars say

Found in Egypt in 1945. Gnostic Christians saw the creator of the material world as a flawed lesser god.

Council of gods Looks like technology Giants and hybrids
People and places hereAdam

Quick answers about Apocryphon of John

Where is Apocryphon of John found?

Apocryphon of John (Nag Hammadi Codex II) (Gnostic texts). Translation quoted: Summary in my own words.

When was Apocryphon of John written?

c. 150–200 CE.

What do scholars say about Apocryphon of John?

Found in Egypt in 1945. Gnostic Christians saw the creator of the material world as a flawed lesser god.

Rabbit holes in this passage

GodYaldabaothThe lion-faced, serpent-bodied false creator of Gnostic myth, who announced he was the only god and did not know what was above him.

Sources

  1. Apocryphon of John (Nag Hammadi Codex II,1), trans. Frederik WissePrimary text

Scholarly dates are rounded. The wording follows the named public-domain translation.

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