Thomas

Biblical Record

Thomas was one of the Twelve Disciples. His name appears in the lists of disciples in Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, and Acts 1:13. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) give only his name; his words and actions are recorded only in the Gospel of John. John calls him "Thomas, which is called Didymus." Both "Thomas" (Aramaic) and "Didymus" (Greek) mean "twin."

• The raising of Lazarus (John 11:16): When Jesus resolved to go into Judea, where Lazarus was, despite the danger, Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
• The Last Supper (John 14:5): Thomas asked, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
• After the Resurrection (John 20:24–29): Thomas was absent when the risen Jesus first appeared to the disciples. He said he would not believe unless he saw the print of the nails and thrust his hand into Jesus' side. Eight days later Jesus appeared again and invited him to see for himself, and Thomas confessed, "My Lord and my God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
• Afterward Thomas was with Peter and others by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:2), and he is included in the list of disciples gathered in the upper room after Jesus' Ascension (Acts 1:13).

Significance Within Scripture

The confession in John 20:28 directly addresses Jesus as "God." For this reason it is often regarded as the climax of John's Christology (the teaching concerning who Christ is). The verses that immediately follow, John 20:29 and 20:31 ("these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ"), are read as having in view the faith of later readers who have not seen Jesus in person.

Interpretations and Debates

• The nickname "Doubting Thomas": A long-standing interpretation treats Thomas as an example of doubt. Others, pointing to his courage in John 11:16 and his confession in John 20:28, regard him as a disciple who, after honestly asking questions and seeking confirmation, arrived at the clearest confession of all.
• Did he actually touch Jesus? Western art commonly depicts Thomas placing his finger in Jesus' wounds. The text, however, says only that Jesus invited him to touch and that Thomas immediately made his confession; it does not state that he actually touched Jesus.
• The tradition of a mission to India: Since ancient times it has been said that Thomas traveled as far as India to preach the gospel and was martyred there. The so-called "Saint Thomas Christians" of southern India trace their origins to him. This is church tradition and does not appear in the Bible. The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church commemorate him as a saint.
• Apocryphal works bearing Thomas's name: The Gospel of Thomas and the Acts of Thomas are ancient writings that use Thomas's name and are not part of the canon. The Gospel of Thomas, discovered at Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945, takes the form of a collection of sayings of Jesus. Scholars debate its relationship to Gnosticism. Protestant denominations do not treat these writings as a basis for faith.

In the Korean Church

In Korean preaching, Thomas is treated mainly through the text of John 20, and he frequently appears in sermons on the Sunday immediately after Easter. In churches that follow a lectionary based on the church year (a list assigning Scripture readings for each Sunday), this passage is appointed for the Sunday after Easter. The emphasis varies from preacher to preacher: some present the passage as a warning against doubt, while others focus on Jesus coming to those who doubt and on Thomas's confession. John 14:5–6 is widely preached as the "way, truth, and life" passage. In Sunday school, the story of "Doubting Thomas" is commonly used in lessons on the Resurrection.