Bible Figure
Thomas (apostle)
Thomas was one of the Twelve apostles, especially remembered from John's Gospel for moving from doubt about the resurrection to the confession, 'My Lord and my God.' This record overlaps the AVWJ Thomas entry and represents the same apostle.
Biography
Thomas, also called Didymus or 'Twin,' appears in all the apostolic lists and receives a distinctive portrait in John. When Jesus decided to return to Judea after Lazarus' death, Thomas courageously urged the disciples to go and die with Him if necessary. At the Last Supper he asked how the disciples could know the way to where Jesus was going, prompting Jesus' declaration that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Thomas was absent from Jesus' first resurrection appearance to the gathered disciples and refused to accept their report without physical evidence. Eight days later Jesus appeared again and invited Thomas to examine His wounds. Thomas answered with the climactic confession, 'My Lord and my God.' He later appears among the disciples at the Sea of Galilee.
Biblical Significance
Thomas' story treats doubt not as the end of discipleship but as something confronted by the risen Christ and transformed into confession. His response provides one of John's clearest declarations of Jesus' identity.