“... 43.3 For they love the tree but hate its fruit, or love the fruit but hate the tree. Various possibilities have been suggested for the tree/ fruit metaphor. Hedrick has raised the possibility of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Many draw parallels with the botanical imagery in the Synoptic Gospels, but Thomas’s usage here is actually unparalleled there. It is inconsistency which is particularly attributed to the Jews here: one might compare the criticism of the Pharisees’ great attention to tithing but neglect of justice (cf. e.g. Matt. 23.23/ Lk. 11.42), or Jesus’ criticism of the response of ‘this generation’ to him and John the Baptist: ‘we played the flute for you and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn/ weep’ (Matt. 11.17/ Lk. 7.32). This double-tradition/ “Q” saying has two antithetical parts each composed of an incongruity, just as does GTh 43.3 here. ...”