The Passion and the Resurrection · John 20
Thomas: “My Lord and My God!”
On the evening of the resurrection, the disciples are behind closed doors “for fear of the Jews.” Jesus comes and stands in their midst: “Peace be unto you.” He shows them his hands and his side, sends them out as the Father sent him, then breathes on them: “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Thomas, one of the twelve, was not there. When the others tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” he answers, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails . . . I will not believe.” Eight days later, Jesus appears again, the doors being shut: “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands . . . and be not faithless, but believing.” Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replies, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
What happens
- Jesus appears to the disciples behind closed doors: “Peace be unto you” John 20:19
- He shows his hands and his side, then sends them out John 20:20–22
- Absent, Thomas refuses to believe without seeing the print of the nails John 20:24–25
- Eight days later, Jesus invites Thomas to reach out his finger John 20:26–27
- “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28
- “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” John 20:29
Who is in this story
The lesson
Jesus does not turn away Thomas’s sincere doubt: he shows himself and invites him to believe. Those who have not seen are declared blessed, because the Gospel was written “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31).
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Quick quiz on this story
What words does Thomas speak before the risen Jesus?
Thomas answers Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” He acknowledges him as his Lord and his God, after demanding to see in order to believe. John 20:28
What does Thomas demand before he will believe that Jesus has risen?
He declares, “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
When does Jesus appear again, this time with Thomas present?
“After eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them.” Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and says to them, “Peace be unto you.” John 20:26
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