In brief
Thomas, called Didymus, is one of the Twelve. John’s Gospel shows him ready to follow Jesus to death, then asking the question that draws out the words “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” After the resurrection, he is not there when Jesus appears to the disciples and refuses to believe without seeing. Eight days later, Jesus presents himself to him. Thomas cries out: “My Lord and my God!” We remember that Jesus honestly welcomes doubts and blesses those who believe without having seen.
What does the name Thomas mean?
The name Thomas is generally linked to an Aramaic word meaning twin. John’s Gospel calls him “Thomas, who is called Didymus”: Didymus is a Greek word that also means twin (John 11:16; 20:24).
The story of Thomas
Ready to Die with Jesus
John 11:7-16Jesus wants to return to Judea after the death of Lazarus, although the Jews had recently tried to stone him. The disciples hesitate. Thomas says to the others: “Let’s go also, that we may die with him.” This word shows his courage and his attachment to Jesus, even if he does not understand what Jesus is about to accomplish.
The Question About the Way
John 14:1-6Jesus announces his departure to the Father and tells the disciples they know the way. Thomas answers him frankly: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” This honest question draws out Jesus’ answer: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Absent on Easter Evening
John 20:19-25On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus stands among the disciples, who are shut in for fear, and says to them: “Peace be to you.” Thomas is not with them. When the others tell him they have seen the Lord, he replies that he will not believe until he has seen the nail marks and touched his side.
Jesus Comes for Thomas
John 20:26-28Eight days later, the disciples are in the house again, with Thomas, and the doors are shut. Jesus comes and says: “Peace be to you.” He invites Thomas to put his finger here and look at his hands, and adds: “Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answers: “My Lord and my God!”
Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen
John 20:29-31Jesus says to Thomas: “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” The evangelist then explains why these things are written: so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name.
What Thomas teaches us
- Honest doubt does not push us away from Jesus: Thomas says what he thinks, and Jesus comes to meet him.
- Thomas shows real courage in John 11: he is ready to follow Jesus even at the risk of his life.
- Asking Jesus a frank question, like Thomas about the way, leads to an answer that feeds the whole Christian faith.
- Staying with other believers matters: Thomas misses the first appearance, but he is back with the group eight days later.
- We have not seen the nail marks, but Jesus declares blessed those who believe on the word of those who saw him.
Key verses
Thomas says he does not know where Jesus is going or what the way is. Jesus answers: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” A sincere question becomes the occasion for a great revelation.
“My Lord and my God!” This confession of Thomas is one of the strongest in John’s Gospel, because it recognizes in Jesus both Lord and God.
“Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” Jesus speaks to Thomas, but also to all believers who have not seen the risen Christ with their own eyes.
Sermons about Thomas
Frequently asked questions
Why did Thomas doubt the resurrection?
Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them on Easter evening. He refuses to believe on the word of the others and asks to see the nail marks and to touch Jesus’ side (John 20:24-25). Eight days later, Jesus answers exactly his request.
What does the name Thomas mean?
The name Thomas is generally linked to an Aramaic word meaning twin. John’s Gospel calls him “Thomas, who is called Didymus,” and Didymus is the Greek word for twin (John 11:16; 20:24). The Bible does not say who his twin was.
Where can I find the story of Thomas in the Bible?
Thomas appears mostly in John’s Gospel. Chapter 11 shows his courage before the return to Judea, chapter 14 his question about the way, and chapter 20 his doubt, the meeting with the risen Jesus and his confession “My Lord and my God!”