Lexical Summary Thómas: Thomas Original Word: Θωμᾶς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Thomas. Of Chaldee origin (compare ta'owm); the twin; Thomas, a Christian -- Thomas. see HEBREW ta'owm NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin toam Definition "the twin," Thomas, one of the twelve apostles NASB Translation Thomas (11). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2381: ΘωμᾶςΘωμᾶς, Θωμᾷ, ὁ (תְּאום (i. e. twin), see δίδυμος), Thomas, one of Christ's apostles: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; John 11:16; John 14:5; John 20:24-29 (in 29 Rec. only); John 21:2; Acts 1:13. (B. D. under the word.) Topical Lexicon Name and Identity Thomas (Greek Θωμᾶς, Strong’s 2381), also called Didymus (“the Twin”), is listed among the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. His name appears eleven times in the Greek New Testament and, with the exception of the apostolic catalogues, all occurrences are found in the Gospel of John, suggesting that John preserves unique memories of Thomas’s personality and words. Occurrences in Scripture Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; John 11:16; John 14:5; John 20:24-29 (four verses, including the form Θωμᾷ in 20:27); John 21:2; Acts 1:13. These passages trace Thomas from his appointment to the apostolate, through pivotal moments during Jesus’ earthly ministry, to his presence with the praying band awaiting Pentecost. Calling and Early Ministry Thomas is named in each Synoptic list of the Twelve (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15), underscoring his full participation in Jesus’ itinerant ministry, preaching, healing, and casting out demons (Mark 3:14-15). Although the Synoptics supply no individual acts, Thomas would have shared the apostolic commissioning and the firsthand witness of Jesus’ miracles and teachings. Boldness and Loyalty John 11:16 records Thomas’s impassioned words when Jesus resolved to return to Judea after Lazarus’s death: “Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with Him.’”. Far from the caricature of perpetual doubt, Thomas displays courageous loyalty, willing to face mortal danger to stand with his Lord. Questions and Search for Understanding During the Upper Room discourse Thomas again steps forward: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). His forthright question prompts one of Jesus’ clearest self-revelations: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Thomas’s inquiry therefore becomes the occasion for a foundational Christological declaration. Resurrection Appearance and Confession of Faith John 20:24-29 presents the episode that has most shaped Thomas’s reputation: Thomas becomes the first disciple to address the risen Christ with an explicit confession of His deity. John immediately links this scene with the beatitude for all future believers (20:29), portraying Thomas as the transitional figure whose personal encounter undergirds the faith of those “who have not seen and yet have believed.” Presence with the Early Church Thomas appears in John 21:2 among the seven disciples who meet the risen Lord by the Sea of Tiberias, and in Acts 1:13 in the upper room awaiting the promised Spirit. His inclusion demonstrates restored fellowship and lasting apostolic authority. Later Missionary Tradition While Scripture is silent on Thomas’s post-Pentecost itinerary, ancient Christian writers locate his ministry eastward—to Parthia, Mesopotamia, and especially India. Though extrabiblical, such traditions testify to an early and widespread memory of Thomas as a frontier missionary and martyr, in harmony with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Theological Significance 1. Evidential Faith: Thomas’s demand for physical proof and Christ’s accommodation affirm the bodily reality of the resurrection. Lessons for Believers • Loyalty is measured not merely by words in calm moments but by willingness to stand with Christ in perceived danger. Key Themes for Study Discipleship under trial (John 11), revelation through questioning (John 14), the nature of saving faith (John 20), apostolic community after the resurrection (John 21; Acts 1). Together these texts invite believers to emulate Thomas’s eventual surrender: “My Lord and my God!” Forms and Transliterations Θωμα Θωμᾷ Θωμαν Θωμᾶν Θωμας Θωμᾶς Thoma Thōma Thomā̂i Thōmā̂i Thoman Thomân Thōman Thōmân Thomas Thomâs Thōmas ThōmâsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 10:3 N-NMSGRK: καὶ Βαρθολομαῖος Θωμᾶς καὶ Μαθθαῖος NAS: and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew KJV: and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew INT: and Bartholomew Thomas and Matthew Mark 3:18 N-AMS Luke 6:15 N-AMS John 11:16 N-NMS John 14:5 N-NMS John 20:24 N-NMS John 20:26 N-NMS John 20:27 N-DMS John 20:28 N-NMS John 21:2 N-NMS Acts 1:13 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2381 |
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