John 20:28

Context

Chapter 20 of the Gospel of John recounts events following the resurrection of Jesus. When the risen Jesus first appeared to the disciples, Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not present. Even after hearing the other disciples' report, Thomas declares that he will not believe unless he sees and touches the nail marks himself (John 20:24-25). Eight days later Jesus appears again, holds out his hands and side to Thomas, and tells him to "be not faithless, but believing"; this verse is Thomas's response. The text does not say whether Thomas actually touched the wounds. Jesus then replies, "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (20:29), and the Gospel writer states the purpose for which the book was written (20:31).

Interpretation

• Traditional Christian reading: The Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and most Protestant denominations read this verse as a direct confession of the divinity of Jesus. The Gospel of John opens with the words "the Word was God" (1:1) and reaches its climax in this confession; many commentators regard the two passages as forming a frame that encloses the entire Gospel. The verse serves as a proof text in treatments of the doctrine of the Trinity and of Christology (the doctrine of the person of Christ).
• Grammatical reading: In the Greek original, Thomas's words take the form of nominative nouns with the definite article, a construction that in New Testament Greek can also function as a vocative, or form of direct address. Because the text says that Thomas "answered and said unto him," commentators generally take his words as addressed to Jesus. Some scholars also read the confession in connection with paired Old Testament expressions used in addressing God, such as "my God and my Lord" in Psalm 35:23.
• Reading as a model of discipleship: Preaching and devotional writing emphasize that the doubting Thomas arrived at the highest confession. Rather than condemning doubt, this reading sees the scene as portraying the process by which doubt is transformed into faith.

Debates and Disputed Points

Jehovah's Witnesses do not understand the divinity of Jesus in Trinitarian terms. Their literature explains that the word "God" was also used in a broader sense to refer to mighty beings, citing as examples passages such as John 10:35, where human beings are called "gods." Another view regards the verse as an exclamation of astonishment. Most denominations and commentators reject these readings, pointing out that Jesus accepted the confession without correcting it.

Some scholars draw attention to records that the Roman emperor Domitian was addressed by the title "Lord and God." One interpretation holds that Thomas's confession stands in contrast to such emperor worship, though this view is generally presented as a hypothesis.

In the Korean Church

The verse is frequently addressed in sermons during the Easter season, often in connection with the expression "doubting Thomas." Churches that follow the liturgical calendar commonly read John 20:19-31 on the Sunday after Easter.

Related Passages

• John 1:1
• John 20:29
• John 20:31
• John 10:30
• Philippians 2:9-11