Thomas, the doubting apostle


An Apostle who first doubted the Resurrection of Jesus and then believed. He was not present when Jesus appeared alive to his disciples the evening after his Resurrection. Thomas rejected their story and insisted that he would not believe until he had seen Jesus with his own eyes and touched Jesus' wounds with his own hands. A week later, Jesus appeared again when Thomas was with the group; he invited Thomas to touch his wounds and believe. Thomas then confessed his faith, saying, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus replied, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Notes for Thomas, the doubting apostle

A “doubting Thomas” is someone who demands evidence to be convinced of anything, especially when this demand is out of place.

Words Nearby Thomas, the doubting apostle

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.