Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus returned. ‘The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the prints of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ –John 20:25
Jesus saith of him: ‘Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile’. –John 1:47
The Apostle Thomas is best known to the world as the “doubter” or as the “non believer.” That is a wrong picture of this devoted disciple of Christ. Our common phrase “doubting Thomas” originated with the words of Thomas as told in the 20” chapter of the Gospel of John. It was there Thomas is said to doubt Christ’s return from the dead. Thomas said would not believe Jesus had returned until he witnessed and examined the resurrected Christ for himself.
Such an isolated view of the Apostle Thomas is misplaced. He was indeed a “believer,” as Jesus himself clearly proclaimed, and Thomas was a man of great courage in behalf of the cause of Christ. Unfortunately, the majority of the world recognizes Thomas, and uses the “doubting Thomas” phraseology, only because of one scripture, failing to read and interpret the remainder of the text, or of other gospel references to the apostle.
The Apostle Thomas was clearly not different from the other Apostles in being “human,” as so many of us would also be in the same circumstance. For example, the great Apostle Peter thrice denied Christ at a time when Christ needed support. The Apostle Paul was the greatest persecutor of the early church — yet both are more recognized for their other deeds.
Thomas’ selection as an apostle
What we know of Thomas comes primarily from the Gospel of John. It is clear, however, that Thomas was a chosen apostle of Christ as he is specifically listed among the 12 apostles in the first three Gospels at Matt. 10:3, Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:15, as well as at Acts 1:13. No other reference is made in those books to give us insight into Thomas. Thus, we turn to the Gospel of John to learn what we can of this interesting apostle of Christ.
Thomas, also known as Didymus
On three of the four times the Gospel of John references Thomas, the apostle is also referred to as “Didymus.” John 11:16, 20:4 and 21:2. The name comes from the Greek word for “twin,” just as the Hebrew word for twin is “t’hom.”
We know very little about Thomas’ background, how he was employed, where he was from, or how he was chosen as an apostle by Christ. What we do know comes from four specific references in the Gospel of John. The first reference talks of Thomas’ courage. John 11:16. The second reference involves Thomas concern about literally “following” Christ. John 14:5. The “doubting” issue is third. John 20:24-29. The final reference is where Thomas was with six of the other apostles fishing when Christ appeared. John 21:2.
Thomas’ courage
In the 11th Chapter of John, Jesus is persuaded to return to Judea to look into the sickness of Lazarus, who died before Jesus arrived. The apostles tried to talk to Jesus, not wanting him to return to Judea for fear the Jews there would be hostile to him and would physically harm, him. John 11:1-14.
Nevertheless, Jesus insisted on returning to Judea to check upon the death of Lazarus without regard to the hostility to him there. Thomas then spoke up, encouraging courage in the other apostles to support Christ, even with their lives to the extent they might die with Jesus there. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” John 11:16.
Modern readers of the Bible often overlook this act of courage of Thomas and his loyal support for Christ.
‘How can we know the way’
Thomas is also at the center of a discussion between Jesus and his Apostles immediately prior to Jesus’ arrest and death. Jesus is attempting to comfort his disciples for his soon death, reassuring them not to be troubled, but to believe in him. He said in His Father’s house are many mansions, and he goes to prepare a place for them “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”
“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know no whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man may cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” John 14:1-7.
Jesus’ return
In the 20th chapter of John, the incidents of Jesus’s return following his resurrection relate the most well-known story of Thomas’ “unbelief.” Jesus’ two appearances here provide a great lesson to those of us who did not witness as Thomas and the other apostles did.
After his death, Jesus makes his third appearance to his disciples, as related at John 20:19-23. However, Thomas was not present, and later the other apostles attempt to relate to Thomas the appearance of Jesus before their eyes. Thomas then makes his famous quote: “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.” John 20:25. Eight days later, Jesus again appears at the gathering of the apostles, with Thomas present. Jesus approaches Thomas and says: 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.
And Thomas answered and said “Unto My Lord and my God.” John 20:24-28.
Christ then provided the answer that means so much, and provides great hope and blessing to us who did not actually witness the resurrection or Jesus’ return.
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 20:29.
Come and dine
The final reference in John to the Apostle Thomas is at the 20th chapter of John, when Jesus appears to the seven apostles while they were fishing. The fact that the apostle Thomas is listed among the seven apostles who went fishing, has caused many to speculate that Thomas may have been a fisherman by trade.
Jesus invites the seven to “Come and dine” with him and encourages all the apostles, through his discussion with Peter, to “feed my sheep.”
Thomas’ ministry
There is no recorded or documented or scriptural evidence of Thomas’ subsequent ministry. Legend suggests that Thomas worked preaching and built churches for the next 30 years, primarily in India.
He is reported to have first traveled to ancient Babylon, and then moved onto India around 50 A.D. Legend suggests the Apostle Thomas landed at Malabar, South India in 52 A.D. The church of Mar Thomas (“Marthoma” – “Master Thomas”) Syrian Church claims it was founded by the Apostle Thomas.
Tradition there suggests Thomas was killed by the king’s lance after the Apostle had preached to and allegedly converted Queen Tertia. Local legend said after he was martyred there, he was buried at Mylapore, now a suburb of Madras.
