JESUS APPEARS TO THOMAS

Passage: John 20:24-31

Key verse: 28

NIV

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas(A) (also known as Didymus[a]), 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,(B) I will not believe.”(C)

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(D) be with you!”(E) 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.”(F)

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed;(G) blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”(H)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs(I) in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.(J) 31 But these are written that you may believe[b](K) that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,(L) and that by believing you may have life in his name.(M)

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Footnotes
  1. John 20:24 Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.
  2. John 20:31 Or may continue to believe
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus and Thomas

24 Now (A)Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,[a] was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, (B)“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. (C)Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, (D)“Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, (E)“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, (F)“My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? (G)Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of This Book

30 (H)Now Jesus did many other signs (I)in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 (J)but these are written so that you may (K)believe that Jesus is the Christ, (L)the Son of God, and that by believing (M)you may have life (N)in his name.

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Footnotes
  1. John 20:24 Greek Didymus
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Stop doubting and believe (24-28)

Thomas had not been with the others when Jesus appeared to them, so he doubted. His doubt influenced them all, for instead of accepting Jesus' command and his gift of peace and the Holy Spirit, they still sat trembling behind locked doors. One man's faith or lack of faith is very important. So Jesus visited them again. Thomas touched the nail-scarred hands and worshiped Jesus. He confessed, 'My Lord and my God!'

2. Those who believe without seeing (29-31)

John wrote this Gospel with a clear purpose. He wanted those of us who have not seen Jesus' nail-scarred hands with our physical eyes to believe the testimony of the Gospel writers, the testimony of the Bible, and to know that God raised Jesus from the dead. By believing that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God, accepting him as our Lord and Savior, we have life in his name.

Prayer: Lord, you are the Christ, the Son of God. Thank you for giving me life.

One Word: My Lord and my God!