Thomas's Separation from Jesus in the First Appearance
When Jesus first appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, Thomas, also known as Didymus, was not present with them [1]. The Gospel of John records this absence, noting that Thomas was "one of the twelve" [1]. The reason for his absence is not explicitly stated in the biblical text, though some commentators suggest it might have been due to "sullen despondency" [5].
Upon hearing the other disciples declare, "We have seen the Lord," Thomas expressed profound skepticism. He stated, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side—I will not believe" [2]. This declaration highlights his demand for empirical evidence before accepting the resurrection. John Chrysostom notes that while believing carelessly can stem from an "over-easy temper," Thomas's extreme curiosity and meddlesomeness were also problematic [2].
Eight days later, Jesus again appeared to the disciples, and this time Thomas was with them [7]. This appearance occurred on a Sunday, one week after the resurrection, a day that would later become known as "the Lord's Day" [6]. Jesus directly addressed Thomas's earlier demand, inviting him to touch his hands and side, saying, "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" [6].
Thomas's response was an immediate confession of faith: "My Lord and my God" [8]. This declaration is considered a profound affirmation of Jesus's divinity [8]. Adam Clarke notes that attempts to interpret this as an exclamation directed to the Father rather than to Christ require doing "violence to every rule of construction" [8]. Jesus then stated, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" [6].
The episode serves several theological purposes. It provides a strong witness to the physical reality of Jesus's resurrection, as Thomas's doubt is overcome by tangible proof [2]. It also emphasizes the importance of faith, even in the absence of direct physical evidence, as highlighted by Jesus's blessing for those who believe without seeing [6]. Augustine, in his Homilies on the Gospels, discusses how the evangelists attest to each other's truth, even on subtle points, suggesting a broader harmony in the resurrection accounts [3]. The appearance to Thomas is distinct from other post-resurrection appearances, such as the one to Cephas (Peter), which John Gill notes was not the first appearance but significant among the male disciples [4].
Sources
- John “John 20:24 (Geneva1599) — But Thomas one of the twelue, called Didymus, was not with them when Iesus came.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Homily LXXXVII. John xx. 24, 25 “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said, Except I shall see in His hands 2575 2575 “But he said unto them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side.” N.T. —I will not believe.” [1.] As to believe carelessly and in a random way, comes of an over-easy temper; so to be beyond measure curious and meddlesome,”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XXV.--OF CHRIST'S SUBSEQUENT MANIFESTATIONS OF HIMSELF TO THE DISCIPLES, AND OF THE QUESTION WHETHER A THOROUGH HARMONY CAN BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT NARRATIVES WHEN THE NOTICES GIVEN (part 10): endued with power from on high.''(8) Observe, then, how Luke has here referred to that promise of the Holy Spirit which we do not elsewhere find made by the Lord, save in John's Gospel.(9) And this deserves something more than a passing notice, in order that we may bear in mind how the evangelists attest each other's truth, even on sub”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:5: And that he was seen of Cephas,.... Or Simon Peter; for Cephas was a name given him by Christ, Joh 1:42. This was not another Cephas, one of the seventy disciples, as Clemens suggests (g), but the Apostle Peter himself, to whom it is certain the Lord appeared. Not that he was the first person by whom Christ was seen after his resurrection, for he first appeared to Mary Magdalene, Mar 16:9 but the testimony of the women the apostle omits, and it seems as if Peter was the first of the men that saw Christ when risen, see Luk 24:34. Whether he was one of the discip”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 20:24: JESUS AGAIN APPEARS TO THE ASSEMBLED DISCIPLES. (Joh 20:24-29) But Thomas--(See on Joh 11:16). was not with them when Jesus came--why, we know not, though we are loath to think (with STIER, ALFORD and LUTHARDT) it was intentional, from sullen despondency. The fact merely is here stated, as a loving apology for his slowness of belief.”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 20:26: 20:26-27 Eight days later was Sunday, one week after Jesus’ resurrection (it was customary to include the current day when counting forward). Jesus’ appearance on the following Sunday helps explain the disciples’ meeting on “the Lord’s Day” (see Rev 1:10). • Peace be with you: This scene was exactly like Jesus’ first appearance (John 20:19-20). Jesus had already heard Thomas’s complaint and now answered directly. • Believe! Jesus challenged Thomas to believe in the resurrection like the others.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 20:26: And after eight days,.... That is, after another week, the same day a week later, which taking in the day in which Christ rose and appeared to Mary Magdalene, and his disciples, and the day in which he now appeared to the disciples with Thomas, made eight days; a like way of speaking see in Luk 9:28 compared with Mat 17:1. And Dr. Hammond has proved from Josephus (w), that the Jews used to express a week by eight days. Again, his disciples were within; within doors, in some private house; probably the same as before, in some part of the city of Jerusalem: and Thoma”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 20:28: Thomas answered, etc. - Those who deny the Godhead of Christ would have us to believe that these words are an exclamation of Thomas, made through surprise, and that they were addressed to the Father and not to Christ. Theodore of Mopsuestia was the first, I believe, who gave the words this turn; and the fifth Ecumenic council, held at Constantinople, anathematized him for it. This was not according to the spirit of the Gospel of God. However, a man must do violence to every rule of construction who can apply the address here to any but Christ. The text is plain: Jesu”