It is in John’s Gospel where we have details of the disciple Thomas. Although he is also mentioned in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts, in each instance his name appears only in the list of the disciples (Mat 10:3; Mar 3:18; Luk 6:15; Act 1:13). It is the fourth Gospel which fills out his character a little for us.
Thomas’ name means “twin,”1 perhaps because he was one by birth. Nonetheless, this name seems apt, as he was a man who, like us, was not always consistent. He may be known to us by the idiom “doubting Thomas,” but there is much to learn from this less prominent disciple. As we look at the four times that Thomas steps onto the page of Scripture in John, we will draw out lessons and challenges for ourselves.
Loyalty (John 11:16)
“Let us also go, that we may die with him.”2 These are the first recorded words from the lips of Thomas, and they are in many ways quite remarkable. We have here a statement of loyalty to Christ, and not a little bravery. The larger context of the statement takes us back to 10:22-42, where the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem had shocked and angered the Jews by saying, among other things, “I and my Father are one” (10:30). He escaped the immediate danger “beyond Jordan” (v40), where the news of Lazarus’ illness reached Him (11:1-3).
Then, Lazarus having died, the Lord Jesus said, “Let us go into Judaea again” (11:7), and then a little later, “For your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe” (v15 ESV). Because of the danger, the other disciples were amazed that He would want to return (v8), but it seems that Thomas was willing not only to believe but to venture to Judaea with the Lord despite this danger – “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (v16).
As we watch the almost exponential rise of anti-Christian sentiments in the culture around us, we do well to note the loyalty of Thomas. Despite his misapprehensions here and in following passages (and later he would forsake the Lord with the other disciples – Mark 14:50), here Thomas was one who was willing to go and even die with his Lord. Could we say the same?
Anxiety (John 14:5)
“Let not your hearts be troubled” (14:1 ESV), the Lord said. He was going to prepare a place for them in the Father’s house and He would return to receive them to Himself so that they might be with Him (vv2-3). This was a promise true for the disciples and true for us.
But Thomas was troubled, and we sense anxiety in his question, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (v5 NKJV). Given the answer of the Lord in verse 6, it seems that Thomas was worried about what he did not know – about where the Lord was going or the way to get there. The Lord’s answer simply points out that these things were found securely in Him – “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Thomas needed to be reminded that he knew Christ, and Christ is the way to the Father.
Despite the anxiety-provoking days in which we live, our Lord will one day come and take us to be with Himself eternally (14:3). Like Thomas, we may struggle with all the things that we do not understand, or other anxieties that press in upon us from other sources. But, dear believer, let us be encouraged to fix our eyes on Christ, the One in whom all our hope is bound up. The end is sure – so we press on!
Unbelief (John 20:26-28)
When we think of Thomas, it is likely that this is the passage we think about. It is worthy of notice that his sin here is not so much doubt as unbelief: “Unless I see … and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (20:25 NKJV). The Lord’s words to him were, “Be not faithless, but believing” (v27). It was a lack of faith on Thomas’ part.
All the disciples had been in Thomas’ position eight days earlier – fearfully meeting when the Lord Jesus appeared to them (vv19-20). However, what sets Thomas apart is his refusal to believe the word of the other disciples. There is an encouragement here for us to be with fellow believers as much as we can. Thomas’ unbelief is not stubborn, determined unbelief. It arose in part because he had not been with his brothers. If we cut ourselves off from the fellowship of God’s people, it can be very easy for doubts and unbelief to arise.
But notice the wonderful grace of the Lord Jesus. Thomas may have doubted the word of the disciples, but Christ does not deal harshly with him. His “peace to you” included Thomas – and all disbelief vanished in a moment, for Christ was right there! “Reach your finger … reach your hand …” (v27 NKJV). How kind of the Lord to come to Thomas in the terms that he had expressed (v25). But the sight of the Lord was enough for Thomas. We never read of him reaching or touching. We simply hear him exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” (v28). Not a shred of disbelief or doubt remained for Thomas.
If Thomas experienced grace like this, see what greater grace is ours: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v29 ESV).
Recovery (John 21:2)
The last time we meet Thomas is on the shore of Galilee. It is hard not to be moved by Thomas’ presence with Peter and the few other disciples who were there. Although the narrative centres around Peter’s recovery, there is Thomas’ name, second on the list in verse 2.
There is no record of interaction with Thomas and the Lord, but we know that he was among those to whom the Lord said, “Come and dine” (21:12). This is the last glimpse of the disciple – in fellowship with his Lord and Saviour. Praise God that failure is not final for the believer; restoration is wonderfully possible. Not only can we enjoy the sweetness of recovered fellowship here and now, but soon, in a far sweeter way, with Him in the Father’s house.
1 Three times John also adds “which is called Didymus” (KJV) or “called the Twin” (ESV) – 11:16; 20:24; 21:2.
2 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
