How Did Doubting Thomas Get His Name In The Bible?

Last updated on: May 25, 2016 at 8:42 am by Jack Wellman

How Did Doubting Thomas Get His Name In The Bible? 2016-05-25T08:42:26-05:00 Jack Wellman

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How did Doubting Thomas get his name? What is fair to him to be called that?

The Disciple Thomas

Thomas the Disciple got a bum rap I believe in the Bible. He, like the other disciples, forsook everything to follow Jesus. This was a huge risk in that day. The Jews associated poverty with being sinful so they looked down on those who were poor, and the disciples gave up all to follow Jesus. They depended on God for everything, but of course, with Jesus being with them, a few fishes and loaves of bread can go a long way. Thomas was one of the twelve that Jesus called (Luke 6:15) but Thomas was not a man always full of doubt. Like most of us, he had moments when doubt crept in and it seemed hopeless, but on one occasion, Jesus was going back to but the disciples objected by saying “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again” (John 11:8) to which Jesus replies, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world” (John 11:9). Jesus was going, threat of stoning or not, and “So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). That isn’t just talk because he did go with them. He was the first one to risk going so Thomas may have had a time of doubt after Christ’s death, but he was no coward.

Jesus’ Soon Departure

When Jesus told His disciples that He was about to leave and return to the Father after His death, they were anxious about His departure and after Jesus said “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going” (John 14:3-4), “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way” (John 14:5)? Thomas was the only one who spoke up. He asked the question that the other disciples were probably thinking but were afraid to ask. Give Thomas some credit for this. Jesus response to Thomas and to all who inquire of Jesus, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6). Thomas and the other disciples were told that they already know the Father by seeing Jesus as He says, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’” (John 14:9) so “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves” (John 14:11).

Thomas the Twin

The name Thomas means “a twin” so we can assume that Thomas had a twin brother but the Scriptures are silent about this. What we do know for sure is that Thomas was a loyal disciple who was willing to forsake everything in this world for the world to come. After Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and later, His resurrection, Thomas was left completely disenfranchised. He had lost all hope after Jesus’ death so when Jesus appeared to the other disciples, “Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came” (John 20:24). Thomas still didn’t believe, even though the disciples had told him that they had seen Him. Thomas could only reply, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (john 20:25), so “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:26). It must have startled Thomas because when he saw Jesus, he was speechless, so Jesus said “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas’ statement is a profession of faith and testimony to Who Jesus is as he “answered him, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus response to Thomas is His statement to all who believe in Him and yet have not seen Him; “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Conclusion

Thomas got his name because he doubted Jesus’ survived the death on the cross but there are still many doubters today. How many today refuse to acknowledge that God exists, even though there is significant evidence for it (Psalm 19:1-2)? The Apostle Paul tells us (and all unbelievers), that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Rom 1:18-20). People choose to not believe, despite the evidence, however, just as the Apostle John writes, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen” (Rev 1:7).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

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