Thomas the Apostle

== Gospel of John ==
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Thomas first speaks in the [[Gospel of John]]. In John 11:16,<ref>{{bibleref|John |11:16|KJV}}</ref> when [[Lazarus of Bethany|Lazarus]] has recently died, and the apostles do not wish to go back to [[Judea]], Thomas says: "Let us also go, that we may die with him."{{efn|All three occasions are discussed in detail by Dr.&nbsp;Mathew Vallanickal, "Faith and Character of Apostle Thomas" in ''The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India'', Vol.&nbsp;II, Trichur, 1973, p.&nbsp;2}}

Thomas speaks again in John 14:5. There, [[Jesus]] had just explained that he was going away to prepare a heavenly home for his followers, and that one day they would join him there. Thomas reacted by saying, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?"<ref>{{bibleref2|John |14:5|KJV}}</ref>

John 20:24–29<ref>{{bibleref2|John |20:24–29|KJV}}</ref> tells how [[doubting Thomas]] was skeptical at first when he heard that Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to the other apostles, saying, "Except I shall see on his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."<ref>{{bibleref2|John |20:25|KJV}}</ref> But when Jesus appeared later and invited Thomas to touch his wounds and behold him, Thomas showed his belief by saying, "My lord and my God".<ref>{{bibleref2|John |20:28|KJV}}</ref> Jesus then said, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."<ref>{{bibleref2|John |20:29|KJV}}</ref>