John 20:24 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.

BSB

Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.

KJV

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

ASV

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

BBE

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, named Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

Original Greek

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Θωμᾶς Thōmas Thomas G2381 δὲ de however G1161 εἷς heis one G1520 ἐκ ek of G1537 τῶν tōn the G3588 δώδεκα dōdeka Twelve G1427 ὁ ho who G3588 λεγόμενος legomenos is being named G3004 Δίδυμος Didumos Didymus G1324 οὐκ ouk not G3756 ἦν ēn was G1510 μετ met᾽ with G3326 αὐτῶν autōn them G846 ὅτε hote when G3753 ἦλθεν ēlthen came G2064 ὁ ho (the) G3588 Ἰησοῦς Iēsous Jesus G2424

The early church

As to believe carelessly and in a random way, comes of an over-easy temper; so to be beyond measure curious and meddlesome, marks a most gross understanding. On this account Thomas is held to blame. For he believed not the Apostles when they said, "We have seen the Lord"; not so much mistrusting them, as deeming the thing to be impossible, that is to say, the resurrection from the dead. Since he saith not, "I do not believe you," but, "Except I put my hand-I do not believe." But how was it, that when all were collected together, he alone was absent? Probably after the dispersion which had lately taken place, he had not returned even then. But do thou, when thou seest the unbelief of the disciple, consider the lovingkindness of the Lord, how for the sake of a single soul He showed Himself with His wounds, and cometh in order to save even the one, though he was grosser than the rest; on which account indeed he sought proof from the grossest of the senses, and would not even trust his eyes. For he said not, "Except I see," but, "Except I handle," he saith, lest what he saw might somehow be an apparition. Yet the disciples who told him these things, were at the time worthy of credit, and so was He that promised; yet, since he desired more, Christ did not deprive him even of this.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on John

(Hom. xxvi.) It was not an accident that that particular disciple was not present. The Divine mercy ordained that a doubting disciple should, by feeling in his Master the wounds of the flesh, heal in us the wounds of unbelief. The unbelief of Thomas is more profitable to our faith, than the belief of the other disciples; for, the touch by which he is brought to believe, confirming our minds in belief, beyond all question.

Gregory the Dialogist · d. 604Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

But why does this Evangelist say that Thomas was absent, when Luke writes that two disciples on their return from Emmaus found the eleven assembled? We must understand that Thomas had gone out, and that in the interval of his absence, Jesus came and stood in the midst.

Bede · d. 735Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Didymus, double or doubtful, because he doubted in believing: Thomas, depth, because with most sure faith he penetrated into the depth of our Lord's divinity.

Alcuin of York · d. 804Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 19–25

This was the first day of the week, and this day is afterwards often mentioned by the sacred writers; for it was evidently set apart as the Christian sabbath, in remembrance of Christ's resurrection. The disciples had shut the doors for fear of the Jews; and when they had no such expectation, Jesus himself came and stood in the midst of them, having miraculously, though silently, opened the doors. It is a comfort to Christ's disciples, when their assemblies can only be held in private, that no doors can shut out Christ's presence. When He manifests his love to believers by the comforts of his Spirit, he assures them that because he lives, they shall live also. A sight of Christ will gladden the heart of a disciple at any time; and the more we see of Jesus, the more we shall rejoice. He said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost, thus showing that their spiritual life, as well as all their ability for their work, would be derived from him, and depended upon him. Every word of Christ which is received in the heart by faith, comes accompanied by this Divine breathing; and without this there is neither light nor life. Nothing is seen, known, discerned, or felt of God, but through this. After this, Christ directed the apostles to declare the only method by which sin would be forgiven. This power did not exist at all in the apostles as a power to give judgment, but only as a power to declare the character of those whom God would accept or reject in the day of judgment. They have clearly laid down the marks whereby a child of God may be discerned and be distinguished from a false professor; and according to what they have declared shall every case be decided in the day of judgment. When we assemble in Christ's name, especially on his holy day, he will meet with us, and speak peace to us. The disciples of Christ should endeavour to build up one another in their most holy faith, both by repeating what they have heard to those that were absent, and by making known what they have experienced. Thomas limited the Holy One of Israel, when he would be convinced by his own method or not at all. He might justly have been left in his unbelief, after rejecting such abundant proofs. The fears and sorrows of the disciples are often lengthened, to punish their negligence.

Read Matthew Henry on John 20 →

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