“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)
We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Thomas. He is in all four lists of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13). He is my namesake.
The name Thomas is a transliteration of an Aramaic word meaning “twin.” Among the First Century Greek Christians, they often used the name Didymus (didumos, “twin”). This name appears three times in the Gospel of John (11:16; 20:24; 21:2).
Aside from Thomas appearing in each Synoptic Gospel list of apostles (see above), Matthew, Mark and Luke make no further mention of him. However, the Apostle John does.
“Thomas’ appearance in the fourth Gospel is interesting, however, since John does not even provide an exhaustive list of apostles. Here Thomas expresses the despair of the final approach to Jerusalem (11:1-7, 16) and presses Jesus to explain his words of departure in the upper room (14:1-5). In the Gospel’s closing scenes is the familiar episode in which Thomas doubts the Lord’s resurrection (20:24) and then is given compelling proof (vv 26–28). Thomas even appears in the Johannine epilogue (21:2) with Peter fishing in Galilee,” explains the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible.
“The most famous episode involving Thomas (from which he gets the name “Doubting Thomas”) occurred when he did not believe the other disciples’ report that Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20:24–29). He replied, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25 ESV). Eight days later, Jesus appeared to Thomas and said, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:27 ESV). Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 ESV),” states the Lexham Bible Dictionary.
My Lord and my God! With this acknowledgment, Thomas declared his firm belief in the resurrection and the deity of Jesus Christ the Messiah and Son of God (Titus 2:13).
“This is the greatest confession a person can make. Thomas’s confession functions as the fitting capstone of John’s purpose in writing (see John 20:30–31),” declares Dr. John MacArthur.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 