Thomas (Matthew 10:2–4; Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:13–16; John 11:1–16; John 14:1–7; John 20:19–29; John 21:1–14; Acts 1:12–14)

Called Didymus, One of the Twelve

One of the twelve, called Didymus, who told his fellow-disciples to go with Jesus to Lazarus and die with him, asked the Lord how the disciples could know the way, would not believe the others’ report of the risen Jesus until he saw for himself, and then answered, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

Thomas is named among the twelve in Matthew 10:2–4, Mark 3:16–19 and Luke 6:13–16. The Gospel of John calls him “Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus” (John 20:24).

After Lazarus had died, “Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). In John 14 he asked, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?” (John 14:5), and Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

After the resurrection he “was not with them when Jesus came” (John 20:24). Told by the other disciples that they had seen the Lord, he said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). After eight days Jesus came again, and “Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). He is named again among those together at the sea of Tiberias (John 21:2) and among those in the upper chamber (Acts 1:13).

Strengths

• Willingness to follow
• Plain asking
• Confession

Weaknesses

• Unbelief until he saw

Themes

• Belief and sight
• Following Jesus
• The way to the Father
• Confession of Jesus

Among the twelve (Mark 3:13–19; Matthew 10:1–4; Luke 6:13–16)

Jesus appoints twelve; Thomas is named in each list of the twelve.

Let us also go, that we may die with him (John 11:1–16)

When Jesus says he will go to Lazarus, Thomas tells his fellow-disciples to go too.

Let us also go, that we may die with him

Jesus told the disciples, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him” (John 11:14–15). The disciples had just said, “Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?” (John 11:8).

“Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). The text records the words and gives no comment on them.

How know we the way? (John 14:1–6)

Jesus says the disciples know the way; Thomas says they do not know where he goes, and Jesus answers.

How know we the way?

Jesus said, “whither I go, ye know the way” (John 14:4). “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?” (John 14:5).

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Not with them when Jesus came (John 20:19–25)

Thomas is absent when Jesus comes to the disciples on the first day of the week, and says he will not believe unless he sees.

My Lord and my God (John 20:26–29)

After eight days Jesus comes again, speaks to Thomas, and Thomas answers.

My Lord and my God

“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you” (John 20:26).

“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). “Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

“Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The text does not say whether Thomas touched the wounds.

At the sea of Tiberias, and in the upper chamber (John 21:1–14; Acts 1:12–14)

Thomas is among those together when Jesus manifests himself at the sea of Tiberias, and among those in the upper chamber.

Jesus (John 14:5–6; John 20:26–28)

Thomas asked him the way, and answered him, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

The other disciples (John 11:16; John 20:24–25)

He urged them to go with Jesus to Lazarus; they told him they had seen the Lord.

Nathanael (John 21:1–2)

Together with Thomas at the sea of Tiberias.

Major sections

• John 11:1–16
• John 14:1–7
• John 20:24–29

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