Thomas, also known as "Doubting Thomas," was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The primary accounts of Thomas' life and interactions with Jesus can be found in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with additional references in the Book of Acts.
Call to Discipleship:
Thomas was likely a Galilean and worked as a fisherman before he became one of Jesus' disciples. Jesus called him to follow Him, and Thomas responded to the call, becoming one of the Twelve Apostles.
Familiar Sayings:
Though Thomas is not extensively mentioned in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), there are a couple of notable instances. In the Gospel of John, Thomas is depicted as an inquisitive and loyal disciple.
Raising Lazarus from the Dead:
In John 11:1-16, when Jesus received news of Lazarus' illness, He decided to go to Bethany to visit the dying man. At first, the disciples were concerned about the danger in going to Judea, but Thomas expressed his willingness to follow Jesus, saying, "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). This statement reveals Thomas' devotion to Jesus, even to the point of risking his life.
Doubting Thomas:
The most well-known story involving Thomas is the one that earned him the nickname "Doubting Thomas." After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to the disciples, but Thomas was not present at that moment (John 20:19-25). When the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the risen Lord, he expressed his doubt, stating that he would not believe unless he could see the nail marks in Jesus' hands and put his finger into the wounds.
Encounter with the Risen Jesus:
A week later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again, and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus directly addressed Thomas, inviting him to see and touch the evidence of His crucifixion wounds. In John 20:28, Thomas responded to Jesus, exclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" This confession marks a significant moment of faith and understanding for Thomas, as he recognized the divinity of Jesus.
Great Commission and Tradition:
After the resurrection, Thomas, along with the other apostles, received the Great Commission from Jesus to spread the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18).
Tradition and Martyrdom:
According to early Christian traditions, Thomas traveled to various places to preach the Gospel after the ascension of Jesus. He is believed to have journeyed to regions including Parthia (modern-day Iran), Persia (modern-day Iran and Iraq), and India. The tradition holds that Thomas was martyred in India, where he was killed with a spear around AD 72.
Thomas' doubt and subsequent declaration of faith serve as a reminder that even the most devoted followers of Jesus may struggle with doubt at times. His story encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding of their faith and to trust in the resurrected Christ.
