Jesus as God
Thomas Confesses Jesus as My Lord and My God
John places Thomas' confession near the literary climax of the Gospel after the resurrection signs.
How this passage contributes to the case:
The labels below identify the kinds of evidence for Jesus' divinity found in this passage.
Select a label for an explanation.
Divine Identity
Divine Names and Titles
Accepted Divine Testimony
Resurrection and Vindication
Receives Divine Title
Strength of evidence: Strong.
This passage provides substantial evidence relevant to Jesus' divine identity when read in its literary and historical context.
Caravaggio — Biblical Works
Scripture
What Was Said or Done
Thomas addresses the risen Jesus directly as 'My Lord and my God,' and Jesus responds to the confession as Thomas' belief.
Historical and Cultural Context
Israel's confession of YHWH as Lord and God supplies the broad monotheistic background for the titles.
Old Testament Background
Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 35:23 provide useful background.
Exposition
The grammar explicitly presents Thomas as answering Jesus. Jesus does not correct the address but describes Thomas as having believed.
Why This Points to His Divinity
This is one of the clearest direct identifications of Jesus as God in the New Testament and forms a literary inclusio with John 1:1.
Response of the Hearers
Thomas says to Jesus, 'My Lord and my God.'