He was an outspoken skeptic to the . '"John 20:26. Even after hearing the accounts of Christs appearances to the others and Mary Magdalene, he refused to believe that it had happened. Apostle Thomas was believed to be a doubter yet possessed certain characteristics that are worthy of emulation. Third, when Thomas saw what he had to believe, he urgently wanted to prove it, and when he did, he had no doubts. There is also reference to where Thomas is mentioned in the Holy Bible. According to the "Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles" (compare Budge, The Contendings of the Apostles, II, 50), Thomas was of the house of Asher. //christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/s thomass sunday.htm, Letter Xl to Thomas, Prior of Beverley LETTER XL To Thomas, Prior of Beverley. The Twelve, as they were often called, were Jesuss traveling companions, pupils, and direct witnesses to the miracles performed in the gospels. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Thomas the Apostle in the Bible - Summary and Bible Verses The additional names "Judas" and "Didymus" have causd further confusion in apocryphal literature in regard to Thomas, and have led to his identification with Judas of James, and hence, with Thaddaeus (see THADDAEUS), and also with Judas the brother of Jesus (compare Matthew 13:55). There //expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/thomas and jesus.htm, Thomas of Celano Thomas of Celano. Thomas is often quoted with a cynical, Eeyore-type tone, but he may have been one of the more courageous disciples. (KJV WBS YLT), John 21:2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. As Thomass doubts are removed by seeing for himself the physical evidence in Christs hands and side, the unbeliever suddenly leaps beyond the other disciples and cries: Up until this time, none of the disciples had actually addressed Jesus as God. Moses: The Old Testaments Greatest Prophet. Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe (verse 25). However, there is also more to Doubting Thomas than just his doubt and pessimism. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Bible Q&A's; Popular Resources; Blog; Devotionals; Fundamentals of the Faith (FOF) Strange Fire . such as the nature of the Trinity and the character of Christ's . The "Preaching of Thomas" (compare Budge, II, 319) relates still more fantastic adventures of Thomas in India, and the "Martyrdom of Thomas in India" states that on his departure toward Macedonia he was put to death as a sorcerer. Meet Nathanael in the Bible, the 'True Israelite' - Guide to the In three of the times Thomas is mentioned, the Bible notes that he was called didymos, a Greek word meaning twin, which was often used as a name. But Eusebius indicates it was Thaddaeus and not Thomas who preached there (see THADDAEUS). It was most popular between 1931 and 1966, remaining a top 10 boy name for those 35 years. The death of Jesus would have devastated Thomas on a deeply emotional level, especially for someone who often thought and acted with his heart. Meet Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ. According to Eusebius, his real name was Judas. There is no record of the beginning of the friendship of Jesus and Thomas. On the eve of the Passion, Thomas put the question, "Lord, we know now whither thou goest; how know we the way?" B, V), a Gnostic work dating from the 2nd century, tells how when the world was partitioned out as a mission field among the disciples, India fell to "Judas Thomas, also called Didymus," and narrates his adventures on the way, his trials, missionary success, and death at the hands of Misdai, king of India (compare Budge, II, 404; Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 473-544; Pick, The Apocryphal Acts, 224). He is sometimes also referred to by his Greek name, Didymus. ( John 14:5 ) It was the prosaic, incredulous doubt as to moving a step in the unseen future, and yet an eager inquiry as to how this step was to be taken. Who was Thomas in the Bible? Thomas, widely known by his nickname, Doubting Thomas, was one of Jesuss chosen 12 disciples and closest followers during his earthly ministry. Interestingly, in the third century, a text called the Acts of Thomas emerged claiming he was Jesus twin. This site uses cookies to analyze traffic and ensure you get the best experience. 45 name for boys in America. Aside from the four lists of disciples, Thomas is mentioned four more times in the Bibleall of which occur in the Gospel of John. Even though Jesus repeatedly revealed his plans to the disciples, they never understood the cross and resurrection until after the fact. Possessed of little natural buoyancy of spirit, and inclined to look upon life with the eyes of gloom or despondency, Thomas was yet a man of indomitable courage and entire unselfishness. And thats . What Does Thomas Mean? Bible Definition and References - Bible Study Tools An English Deist (1679-1748). What Does Thomas Mean? The Bible doesnt tell us whether or not Thomas physically touches Jesus wounds. And Jesus willingness to engage Thomas in the midst of his doubts encourages Christians today to bring their doubts to him, too. Its important to understand that the town of Bethany is geographically only about two miles from Jerusalem, the city where the most powerful Pharisees lived. Some Christians use this passage to read into Thomas character, but thats probably not the point. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Syrian Christian tradition specifies Thomas was martyred in Mylapore on July 3, 72 AD, noting that he was killed with a spear. The effect on him was immediate. ( Matthew 13:55 ) He is said to have been born at Antioch. The oldest accounts are to the effect that he died a natural death of (compare Clement of Alexandria iv.9, 71). Still searching for the perfect baby name? The Agbar legend also indicates the connection of Thomas with Edessa. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Proud member Thomas, who was also called "Didymus" or "the Twin" (compare John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2), is referred to in detail by the Gospel of John alone. The Hebrew Bible as Literature: A Very Short Introduction - Paperback Thomas had doubted the others had seen the resurrected Jesus. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. All we know regarding him is recorded in the fourth Gospel ( John 11:15 John 11:16 ; John 14:4 John 14:5 ; John 20:24 John 20:25 John 20:26-29 ). That being said, there were many things that Thomas did not understand about the kingdom of God and divine mission of Jesus, but he was not the only one who lacked perspective in spiritual matters. I will not believe" (John 20:25)--at least induced him to be among their number eight days afterward (John 20:26) in the upper room. The latter trait was shown in his speech when our Lord determined to face the dangers that awaited him in Judea on his journey to Bethany. Faith is an essential ingredient for Christ-followers, but that doesnt mean that believers are courageous, optimistic, or faithful all the time. "Faith is always a response to a divine revelation" (WH Griffith Thomas, 143). After the crucifixion, Thomas apparently severed his connection with the rest of the apostiles for a time, as he was not present when the risen Christ first appeared to them (compare John 20:24). As a biblical name, Thomas has an equivalent in virtually every known language. How "Doubting Thomas" Encourages Us to Have Faith, even - The Bible Create your personal religious environment to pray. /d/didymus.htm - 7k, Alpheus (5 Occurrences) Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; (WBS YLT). They dwell in a peninsula of the Indus, on this side the gulf. But Eusebius indicates it was Thaddaeus and not Thomas who preached there (see THADDAEUS). Interestingly, Catholic tradition holds that Thomas did touch them, which has historically supported the idea of using physical rituals and pilgrimages to bolster faith, while Protestant tradition generally holds that Thomas did not touch them, which has been used to reinforce the idea that faith alone is enough for people to be saved. Because of Thomas' positive character traits, God was able to open his mind and work with him. Two fields are mentioned by apocryphal literature as the scene of Thomas' missionary labors. He broke forth into an exclamation, the terms of which convey to us at once the vehemence of his doubt, and at the same time the vivid picture that his mind retained of his Master's form as he had last seen him lifeless on the cross. Popular baby names. Thomas is a perennial favorite in the U.S., ranking among the top 50 boy names in America throughout the 20th century. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. A Disciple's Character. The words in which he expressed his belief contain a far higher assertion of his Master's divine nature than is contained in any other expression used by apostolic lips--"My Lord and my God." Honestly, thats all you really need to know about the Apostle Thomas. Who Was Doubting Thomas? The Beginner's Guide - OverviewBible Answer Thomas was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. This sets up one of Jesus more famous quotes, which only appears in the Gospel of John: I am the way and the truth and the life. Although little is recorded of Thomas in the Gospels, he is yet one of the most fascinating of the apostles. //various/the hymnal of the protestant episcopal church in the usa/st thomas.htm, Jesus and Thomas. Jesus resurrection defied everything the apostles understood and believed about the Messiahand deathsince they were children. The rest of the Twelve often failed to grasp the bigger picture of Jesuss ministry and were similarly prone to fear, narrow-mindedness, and doubt. Christian Truth. There, having received the proofs for which he sought, he made the confession, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28), and was reproved by Jesus for his previous unbelief: "Because thou hast seen me thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:29). Who were the 12 disciples? | Bibleinfo.com Everyone grieves in different ways, and Thomas was not alone in feeling confused and perhaps betrayed by the death of Jesus. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 5. | GotQuestions.org, How can I avoid being a doubting Thomas? (a twin), one of the apostles. The Story Of The Storytellers - The Gospel Of Thomas - PBS (in Umbria) and then in Rome. Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter: Thomas was one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Thomas was not an optimist, but he was no coward either. These two stories illuminate Thomas response to the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent doubt surrounding the resurrection. And in John 20, the disciples told Thomas of Jesus resurrection. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. (WEY RSV). Alexander Walker, Esq. Bible Definition and References Bible Quick Reference Dictionary Thomas Thomas Easton's Bible Dictionary - Thomas Thomas [N] [H] [S] twin, one of the twelve ( Matthew 10:3 ; Mark 3:18 , etc.). Thomas, however, will not be swept off his feet by the testimony of others, and the independence of judgment we spoke of earlier comes again to the fore: 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 it. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. His world was shattered in a matter of hours. Faithful Thomas! - Bible Tools Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Historically, the story of Thomas' doubt in the Gospel of John has been wielded as a club to discourage Christians or seekers from asking hard questions, expressing doubts, or seeking evidence for the claims of Christianity. Thomas, who was also called "Didymus" or "the Twin" (compare John 11:16; John 20:24; John 21:2), is referred to in detail by the Gospel of John alone. It was his sincerity which made him to stand aloof from the rest of the disciples till he had attained to personal conviction regarding the resurrection; but his sincerity also drew from him the testimony to that conviction, "My Lord and my God," the greatest and fullest in all Christianity.C. Im going out to fish, Simon Peter told them, and they said, Well go with you. So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:23. Thomas, who was not present at the time of Jesus initial reappearance, refused to believe unless he touched the hands of Jesus for himself. We can still call him Thomas. Introduction to the Catholic Religion . And as Jewish men, they apostles had no reason to believe the Messiah would rise from the dead. Thomas was famous for doubting the resurrection of Jesus and for demanding physical evidence of the wounds of Christ's crucifixion. Thomas the Apostle: Nicknamed 'Doubting Thomas' - Learn Religions When the resurrected Christ appeared to him eight days later, Thomas immediate reaction was wonderful: And Thomas answered and said to Him. What can we learn from what the Bible says about James the apostle. Noah & ark. Later, Jesus would reveal himself to Thomas (John 20:24) to confirm that he had indeed returned, putting Thomass fears and doubts to rest once and for all. What is the Armor of God and How Can We Put it On Daily? There are nominal Christians in the East Indies, who bear the name of St. Thomas, because they report that this apostle preached the gospel there. Thomas of Celano is so called from Celano, a town on the borders of Lake Fucino, Italy. These include Thomas asking Jesus how to find where Jesus was ascending to if the. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. The 12 Apostles of Jesus and Their Characteristics - Guide to the Philip has a similarly blunt line after this to set up another one of Jesus important monologues. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20), Furthermore, it is written that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, (Hebrews 11:1) and we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). So are any of us really that different from Thomas on our worst day? He broke forth into an exclamation, the terms of which convey to us at once the vehemence of his doubt, and at the same time the vivid picture that his mind retained of his Masters form as he had last seen him lifeless on the cross. So while your Bible says some version of Thomas, called the Twin in John 11:16, John 20:24, and John 21:2, a literal translation would say the twin, called the Twin.. /a/alpheus.htm - 7k, Alphaeus (5 Occurrences) Matthew 10:3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY /a/alphaeus.htm - 12k, Twin (9 Occurrences) Twin (9 Occurrences). St. Thomas the Apostle: Biography, Facts & Legacy - Study.com Jesus has just been teaching His disciples about His imminent departure to heaven, promising that after He has prepared a place for them, He will return to take them to their heavenly home. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. What characteristics of Thomas made him different from other apostles An attempt at reconciliation has been made by supposing that the relics of Thomas were transported from India to Edessa, but this is based on inaccurate historical information (compare Hennecke, op. Join our email list, and well send you some of our best free resourcesplus well tell you whenever we make something new. In the incident of Christ's departure for Bethany, his devotion to his Master proved stronger than his fear of death. What did Thomas say to Jesus? In the catalogue of the apostles he is coupled with Matthew in ( Matthew 10:3 ; Mark 3:18 ; Luke 6:15 ) and with Philip in ( Acts 1:13 ) All that we know of him is derived from the Gospel of St. John; and this amounts to three traits, which, however, so exactly agree together that, slight as they are they place his character before us with a precision which belongs to no other of the twelve apostles except Peter, John and Judas Iscariot. Notes on John 11:16; John 14:5. The effect on him was immediate. Thomas strongly disagrees with this statement and says: No, we dont We havent any idea where you are going, so how can we know the say?. While the rest of the disciples tried to talk Jesus out of traveling too close to Jerusalem (where the Pharisees resided) Thomas professed a willingness to go with Jesus and die with him if thats what was at stake. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. (1) According to origen, he preached in Parthia, the according to a Syrian legend he died at Edessa. Known for: Thomas is one of the original twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'". Between that and a few reliable claims from the early church, heres what we know. The Bible sees what happens to mankind in the light of God's nature, righteousness, faithfulness, mercy, and love.