We have made it to the last disciple on our list of Jesus’ Twelve: Thomas. Thomas is also known as Didymus, which is just the Greek equivalent of his Aramaic name Thomas. Both of these names mean “twin,” which could mean that Thomas had a twin sibling, but we do not know this for sure.
As with the rest of the disciples, Thomas is mentioned in all of the lists of Jesus’ disciples in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:13-16. He is also in the list in Acts 1:12-14, so he was with them following Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Everything else we know about Thomas is recorded in the gospel of John.
In John 11:1-44, we read about the account of the death of Jesus’ good friend Lazarus, brother to Mary and Martha. While he is not one of the main characters in this story, Thomas is singled out in it. Jesus and His disciples had heard that Lazarus was very sick, but in spite of that news, Jesus remained where He was at for two more days. Once Jesus decided that they would go back to Judea, the disciples were concerned because just prior to this, the Jews there had tried to kill Jesus. Naturally, none of them wanted to voluntarily go back to the place where they could be killed!
Jesus then tells His disciples that Lazarus has fallen asleep, but Jesus is going to wake him up (verse 11). Of course, the disciples are confused by this; there’s no cause for alarm or a need for a trip there just to wake up a man who is sleeping! Jesus them plainly tells them that Lazarus is dead (verse 14). In verse 16, Thomas speaks up: “Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’”
Thomas is referencing Jesus as the “him” in that statement, not Lazarus; after all, Lazarus was already dead. The disciples expected that Jesus would be killed on this trip into Judea and that His disciples would suffer or be killed with Him. Here, Thomas reveals his loyalty to Jesus by being willing to face death with Him if that was what the Lord wanted to do. Thomas was clearly committed to following Jesus anywhere, no matter what the cost would be to his own personal safety. We know from reading on in the gospel account that Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, but He is not apprehended and killed right away.
Thomas’ next appearance in the gospel of John is in John 14. Jesus has raised Lazarus, has triumphally entered Jerusalem, washed the disciples’ feet, and predicted His death, how many wouldn’t believe, how Judas would betray Him, and how Peter would deny Him. This passage is part of the discourse that Jesus gives to His disciples as they are celebrating the Passover before He was to die. Jesus has just given them comforting words about preparing a place for them with His Father, and that they know the way to the place where He is going (John 14:1-4).
Then Thomas speaks up: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (verse 5). Thomas is loyal to Jesus, but he is also curious. He doesn’t understand what Jesus is telling them. He wants to be sure he knows what to do to keep following Jesus, no matter what happens.
Jesus’ answer to this question is one that has become key in working to understand Jesus’ identity. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (verse 6). Jesus did not answer Thomas’ question in a direct earthly way, but in a way that reveals much about who He is. He won’t just show them the way; He is the Way. He won’t just teach them the truth; He is the Truth. He won’t just live life with them; He is the Life. Jesus responded to Thomas’ question of confusion by clearly telling the disciples that He is God in human form, and He is the only way that they can approach God.
Finally, the situation that Thomas is most known for is when he doubted Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus had appeared to the disciples on the day that He rose (John 20:19-23), but we find out from verse 24 that Thomas was not with the rest of the disciples at that time. The others told Thomas about Jesus, but he did not believe them. His doubt is recorded in verse 25b: “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, I will not believe.’” The passage continues to show us when Thomas did believe:
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 be with you!” 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.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:26-29).
We can learn from Thomas that we need to believe in Jesus because of all the evidence we have through His Word and the testimony of others, not because we’ve actually seen Him in the flesh. We are part of those Jesus referred to when He said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Thomas is mentioned one more time, in John 21:1, as being with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them again after the resurrection and caused a miraculous catch of fish.
Thomas was loyal to Jesus even to the point of being willing to die with Him, but he still needed proof that Jesus was raised. But that proof allowed Thomas to live the rest of his life spreading the gospel message of Jesus, and that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. According to tradition, Thomas was killed for his faith around 72 AD.
Where are you at in your faith? Are you loyal to Jesus no matter what? Are you confused by what you read about Jesus in the Scriptures? Are you doubting what others tell you about Jesus? Wherever you’re at, I encourage you to investigate Jesus for yourself. He has given us His Word so we can read all about what He did for us. He has also given us His Spirit so we can experience His presence in our lives, even if we are not able to physically touch His earthly body. Be encouraged by Thomas that no matter where you’re at, Jesus is there to meet you and keep you strong in your faith.
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