This study analyzes the Gospel of Philip's interpretation of the crucifixion using Blending Theory.

The Gospel of Philip, found in Nag Hammadi Codex II,1, presents challenges to interpreters due to its lacunae and allusive rhetoric. Some scholars view it as a collection of excerpts, yet it remains a central text in discussions of Gnosticism and Valentinianism. Its relationship to New Testament rhetoric also draws scholarly attention, though its date, origin, nature, and purpose are debated.

This work argues that cognitive linguistics, specifically Blending Theory, can illuminate the Gospel of Philip's coherence. Using the crucifixion as a case study, it examines how the text integrates scriptural interpretation with ritual practice. This approach counters the view that the crucifixion in the Gospel of Philip is merely a historical event, lacking soteriological or sacramental significance. The analysis suggests the crucifixion plays a more significant role in the text's soteriology and rhetoric than previously assumed.