Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

THOMAS

(Gk. Thōmás)

One of Jesus’ original 12 disciples. He is named in all the Synoptic Gospels and Acts (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13), but plays no further role in those writings. The name is a Greek transliteration of Aram. tĕʾômāʾ, “twin,” translated as Didymus (Gk. Dídymos, “double”) in John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2.

Thomas appears prominently in John, during the final stages of Jesus’ earthly life. When Jesus indicates that he is going back into Judea where “the Jews” had recently tried to stone him to death, Thomas courageously urges the disciples to accompany Jesus, “that we may die with him” (John 11:16). In John 14:5 he appears to lack a deeper understanding of Jesus, questioning how they can follow Jesus when they do not even know his destination; Jesus responds that he is that “way.” When the other disciples report that Jesus has appeared to them, Thomas adamantly says that he will not believe Jesus is alive unless he can put his finger into the print of the nails in Jesus’ hands and put his hand into Jesus’ side (John 20:24-25). Jesus appears to the disciples eight days later when Thomas is present and invites him to satisfy his conditions for belief; Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28). Thomas is last mentioned among a group of disciples to whom the risen Jesus appears beside the Sea of Tiberius/Galilee (John 21:2).

Joe E. Lunceford

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

THOMAS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)