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Thomas

Thomas, also called Didymus, was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, known for doubting Jesus' resurrection until he saw him in person.

The name Thomas means “a twin”

MaleApostleNew Testament eraNew Testament5 books20 verses

Summary

An apostle living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Matthew 10:3; referred to as Thomas (Θωμᾶς) or Twin (Δίδυμος).

Profile

Thomas was one of the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He is also known as "the Twin." People remember him most for doubting that Jesus had risen from death.

We do not know how Jesus first met and called Thomas to be his disciple. The Gospel of John is the only source with personal accounts of Thomas. Thomas expressed his willingness to follow Jesus, even if it meant death (John 11:16). He openly told Jesus that he did not understand what he was saying (John 14:5). Thomas was also one of the seven disciples who went back to fishing after the resurrection, when Jesus appeared to them (John 21:2).

When Jesus first appeared to his disciples after his death, Thomas was not there. When Thomas heard the others' report, he did not believe it. He insisted he needed to see the crucifixion marks on the body of Jesus and touch them himself (John 20:19–25). A week later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again and spoke directly to Thomas. He told Thomas to examine the nail and spear marks on his body and challenged him to believe, not doubt (John 20:26–27).

When Thomas saw Jesus alive again, he made one of the most important statements in the New Testament. He acknowledged Jesus as God by saying, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). This moment shows most clearly in John's Gospel that Jesus is divine (God in human form).

Later traditions say Thomas worked as a missionary in the East, including Parthia (according to Eusebius), Persia (according to Jerome), and India (according to the Acts of Thomas). The Mar Thoma Church on India's west coast traces its origins to Thomas's early missionary work. The historical accuracy of these accounts is uncertain.

Some ancient books claim to be written by Thomas or to be about him, but these were written long after he died and are not considered reliable. These include:

  • The Acts of Thomas

  • The Infancy Gospel of Thomas

  • The Epistle to the Apostles

  • The Apocalypse of Thomas

  • The Book of Thomas the Athlete

  • The Gospel of Thomas (a Gnostic collection of the sayings of Jesus)

Passages for Further Study

Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; John 11:16; John 14:5; John 20:24–29; John 21:2; Acts 1:13

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Thomas, the Apostle Didymus

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 8 verses that refer to Thomas without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Matthew 10:3Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
  2. Mark 3:18Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,
  3. Luke 6:15Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;
  4. John 11:16Δίδυμος · Didymus; Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”
  5. John 14:5Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?”
  6. John 14:6Referred to, not named
    Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
  7. John 14:7Referred to, not named
    If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
  8. John 14:28Referred to, not named
    You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
  9. John 14:29Referred to, not named
    And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.
  10. John 14:30Referred to, not named
    I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.
  11. John 14:31Referred to, not named
    But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up! Let us go on from here.
  12. John 20:24Δίδυμος · Didymus; Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
  13. John 20:25Referred to, not named
    So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
  14. John 20:26Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
  15. John 20:27Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”
  16. John 20:28Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
  17. John 20:29Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
  18. John 21:2Δίδυμος · Didymus; Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
  19. John 21:3Referred to, not named
    Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.
  20. Acts 1:13Θωμᾶς · Thomas
    When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.