“... In his remarkably learned article, Smith argues that all four elements in Jesus’ statement, (1) undressing; (2) being naked without shame; (3) treading on the garments; (4) being like children, can be paralleled in early Christian baptismal discourse. Baptismal nudity can be associated with new life, and the lack of shame associated with nudity from Genesis 2:25 is also used sometimes in baptismal contexts. Treading on the garments is thought by Smith to relate especially to standing on the cilicium at baptism, and the connection with children again evokes new life and reconstituted social relations. On the other hand, such motifs can also be used outside the baptismal context. Some have criticised Smith’s use of fourth- and fifth-century parallels (where most of the comparative baptismal material comes) to illuminate Thomas. Baptismal language can also often be used in a metaphorical context. Some of the elements simply come from Genesis, such as being naked without shame (2:25); compare 3:10, Adam and Eve are afraid because they are naked. In the absence of other clear ritual elements in Thomas, one should be cautious of seeing indications of baptism where the language is quite unspecific. ...”