Thomas
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Twin”
The apostle remembered as "doubting Thomas," who refused to believe in the resurrection until he saw Jesus, then confessed Him, "My Lord and my God."
Biography
Thomas, called Didymus ("the Twin"), was one of the twelve apostles, remembered for both his devotion and his famous doubt.
Courage and questioning
When Jesus resolved to return to Judea despite the danger, it was Thomas who said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). At the Last Supper he honestly admitted, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" — prompting Jesus' great answer, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:5–6).
"My Lord and my God"
Absent when the risen Jesus first appeared, Thomas declared he would not believe unless he touched the wounds. A week later Jesus appeared again and invited him to do exactly that. Thomas answered with one of the New Testament's clearest confessions of Jesus' deity: "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Jesus replied, "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
Life Timeline
Doubts the resurrection, then confesses "My Lord and my God"
Themes & lessons from Thomas
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Thomas appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
12 verses in 5 booksMatthew1 verse
Matthew 10:3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Mark1 verse
Mark 3:18
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Luke1 verse
Luke 6:15
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
John8 verses
John 11:16
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
John 14:5
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 20:24
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
John 20:26
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
John 20:27
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20:28
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 21:2
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
Acts1 verse
Acts 1:13
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Frequently asked about Thomas
Who was Thomas in the Bible?
The apostle remembered as "doubting Thomas," who refused to believe in the resurrection until he saw Jesus, then confessed Him, "My Lord and my God."
What does the name Thomas mean?
The name Thomas means “Twin”.
What did Thomas do in the Bible?
Thomas served as apostle.
Where does Thomas appear in the Bible?
Thomas is mentioned 12 times across 5 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts.
What can we learn from Thomas?
The story of Thomas touches on themes of thomas, apostles, matthew, philip — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Thomas's life.
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