Thomas: “My Lord and my God”
John 20:24-29
Thomas was not there when the risen Jesus appeared to the disciples, and he said he would not believe without seeing. Eight days later, Jesus came back, and Thomas recognized him as his Lord and his God. John 20:24-29
The story, in plain words
On the evening of the day of the Resurrection, the disciples were gathered with the doors locked. Jesus came and stood in their midst. John 20:19
He showed them his hands and his side, and the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. John 20:20
Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, called Didymus, the Twin, was not with them. John 20:24
The other disciples told him they had seen the Lord. John 20:25 Thomas answered that he would not believe unless he saw and touched the marks of the nails and…
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See the mapWhat the Bible says
John 20:24-29
24Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. 27Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. 28Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God. 29Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- Thomas wanted to see in order to believe. Has anything like that happened to you?
- Jesus came back and invited him to come close. What does that tell you about Jesus?
- For the child: Jesus said blessed are those who believe without seeing. How can you believe in someone you cannot see?