John 20:24

The Response of Thomas

20:24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

John 11:16

11:16 So Thomas (called Didymus) said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go too, so that we may die with him.”

John 14:5

14:5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

John 21:2

21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael (who was from Cana in Galilee), the sons 10  of Zebedee, 11  and two other disciples 12  of his were together.

John 20:26-27

20:26 Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, 13  and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, 14  Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put 15  your finger here, and examine 16  my hands. Extend 17  your hand and put it 18  into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” 19 


sn This is a parenthetical note by the author; Didymus means “the twin” in Greek.

sn Didymus means “the twin” in Greek.

sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

sn One gets the impression from Thomas’ statement “Let us go too, so that we may die with him” that he was something of a pessimist resigned to his fate. And yet his dedicated loyalty to Jesus and his determination to accompany him at all costs was truly commendable. Nor is the contrast between this statement and the confession of Thomas in 20:28, which forms the climax of the entire Fourth Gospel, to be overlooked; certainly Thomas’ concept of who Jesus is has changed drastically between 11:16 and 20:28.

tn Grk “said to him.”

tn Grk “and Thomas.” The conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has not been translated here in keeping with the tendency of contemporary English style to use a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements of a series.

sn Didymus means “the twin” in Greek.

tn Grk “and Nathanael.” The conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has not been translated here in keeping with the tendency of contemporary English style to use a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements of a series.

map For location see Map1-C3; Map2-D2; Map3-C5.

10 tn Grk “and the sons.” The conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has not been translated here in keeping with the tendency of contemporary English style to use a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements of a series.

11 sn The sons of Zebedee were James and John.

12 sn The two other disciples who are not named may have been Andrew and Philip, who are mentioned together in John 6:7-8 and 12:22.

13 tn Grk “were inside”; the word “together” is implied.

14 tn Grk “the doors were shut”; “locked” conveys a more appropriate idea for the modern English reader.

sn See the note on the phrase locked the doors in 20:19.

15 tn Or “Extend” or “Reach out.” The translation “put” or “reach out” for φέρω (ferw) here is given in BDAG 1052 s.v. 4.

16 tn Grk “see.” The Greek verb ἴδε (ide) is often used like its cognate ἰδού (idou) in Hellenistic Greek (which is “used to emphasize the …importance of someth.” [BDAG 468 s.v. ἰδού 1.b.ε]).

17 tn Or “reach out” or “put.”

18 tn The word “it” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

19 tn Grk “and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”