In this chapter we will examine a conspicuous narrative pattern in the apocryphal Acts of Thomas (ATh) and some literary parallels. The plot of these stories can be summarized in one sentence: A demon loves a woman and tortures her until the man of God drives him out. We may also read about the demon's jealousy and murdering the men who approach the woman; and the story often concludes with the celebration of baptism, Eucharist, or marriage. The pattern described here resembles the plot of an ancient romance, but it also differs from it in that in our narratives there is always a jealously loving demon, while the topic of romantic love and marriage is not necessarily part of the story. Whereas the Apocalypse of Peter projects the image of the human body onto the fantastic landscape of the underworld, placing people themselves into that scenery, in the Acts of Thomas grotesque, demonic figures attack people and penetrate their minds and bodies.

The three passages on which we will focus are found in chs 30–38, 42–50, and 62–81 (third, fifth, and seventh to eighth “acts” in the numbering of the Greek text). The third act reports that the apostle Thomas finds the corpse of a handsome young man beside the road, and begins to pray. Soon a serpent, or better a dragon (δρáκωυ), comes forth from the bushes and recounts how he killed the man, because he made love to a beautiful woman whom the dragon loved.