John 20: 24-28, Appearance to Thomas
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas, "the Doubter", is given convincing evidence. First, Jesus acknowledges Thomas's earlier challenge, made in his absence, and then Jesus makes it clear to Thomas that he, Jesus, is physically present. Thomas, of course, quickly concedes.25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
I empathize with Thomas!
The NIV footnotes elaborate on "Thomas" and "Didymus"; the both mean "twin". The first is Aramaic, the second Greek.
John 20: 29, Those that don't get to see him....
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The gospel writer adds a note to all of us who would like to be like Thomas.
John 20: 30-31, That you may believe
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The gospel writer adds a note to all of us who would like to be like Thomas.
John 20: 30-31, That you may believe
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
This passage is a theme of the book -- it has been written "That you may believe..."
The book almost ends here. But John has a bit more to say, describing one last appearance of Jesus.
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