Doubting Thomas

Illustration of Doubting Thomas
Era
Life of Christ
Date
c. AD 30 โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
John 20:24-29

Absent when the risen Jesus first appeared to the other disciples, Thomas declared he would not believe unless he could see and touch the wounds in Jesus' hands and side himself. A week later, Jesus appeared again with Thomas present and invited him to do exactly that, gently rebuking his unbelief while affirming a greater blessing for those who would believe without such physical proof. Thomas responded with one of the New Testament's clearest declarations of Christ's deity, 'My Lord and my God,' turning a moment of doubt into one of Scripture's most powerful confessions of faith.

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Key Passage

Doubting Thomas

John 20:24-29

B24ut Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 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 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. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, 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. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Read full chapter: John 20 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.

When: c. 5 BC - AD 33

Key Civilizations: Roman Empire (Pax Romana)

Biblical Parallels: Matthew 1-28 , Mark 1-16 , Luke 1-24 , John 1-21

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Characters

Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ Thomas Thomas, one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, is frequently identified in Scripture as the discipleโ€ฆ