One of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, Known for Doubting the Resurrection
The New Testament records that Thomas was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, absent when the risen Jesus first appeared, and on hearing the other disciples’ witness insisted, "unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Eight days later Jesus appeared again and invited Thomas to examine him for himself, and Thomas fell down confessing, "my Lord and my God." Church tradition records that he later went to India to preach, and there is still a community of "Thomas Christians" in southern India claiming his lineage.
Jesus appeared to Thomas and said, "put your finger here and see my hands; reach out your hand and put it into my side; stop doubting and believe." Thomas answered at once, "my Lord and my God!" Jesus said, "because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." This record is often cited in discussions of the tension between "seeing is believing" and "faith."
The Indian state of Kerala has a community of "St. Thomas Christians" claiming Thomas’s missionary lineage, whose historical origins are variously discussed by scholars; this site presents the church-traditional account.
Below are how modern works borrow or reinterpret this name or story — not the original material. The two differ, so keep them apart.
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