John 20:25
New International Version
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “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.”

New Living Translation
They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

English Standard Version
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “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.”

Berean Standard Bible
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

Berean Literal Bible
So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hands into His side, I will never believe."

King James Bible
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in 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.

New King James Version
The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

New American Standard Bible
So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

NASB 1995
So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

NASB 1977
The other disciples therefore were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Amplified Bible
So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the marks of the nails, and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

Christian Standard Bible
So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord! ” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!”

American Standard Version
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Contemporary English Version
So they told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But Thomas said, "First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won't believe unless I do this!"

English Revised Version
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The other disciples told him, "We've seen the Lord." Thomas told them, "I refuse to believe this unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my fingers into them, and put my hand into his side."

Good News Translation
So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

International Standard Version
So the other disciples kept telling him, "We've seen the Lord!" But he told them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger into them, and put my hand into his side, I'll never believe!"

Majority Standard Bible
So the other disciples told him, ?We have seen the Lord!? But he replied, ?Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.?

NET Bible
The other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "Unless I see the wounds from the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the wounds from the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it!"

New Heart English Bible
The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Webster's Bible Translation
The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I shall see in 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.

Weymouth New Testament
So the rest of the disciples told him, "We have seen the Master!" His reply was, "Unless I see in his hands the wound made by the nails and put my finger into the wound, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it."

World English Bible
The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the other disciples, therefore, said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” And he said to them, “If I may not see the mark of the nails in His hands, and may [not] put my finger into the mark of the nails, and may [not] put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Berean Literal Bible
So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hands into His side, I will never believe."

Young's Literal Translation
the other disciples, therefore, said to him, 'We have seen the Lord;' and he said to them, 'If I may not see in his hands the mark of the nails, and may put my finger to the mark of the nails, and may put my hand to his side, I will not believe.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Then said the other disciples to him, We have seen the Lord. And he said to them, Except I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I will see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the place of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

New American Bible
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

New Revised Standard Version
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the disciples said to him, We have seen our Lord. He said to them, Unless I see in his hands the places of the nails, and put my fingers in them, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the disciples were saying to him, “We have seen Our Lord”, but he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the places of the nails and I shall put my fingers in them, and reach my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then the other disciples said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Godbey New Testament
Then the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. And he said to them, Unless I may see the print of the nails in His hand, and thrust my finger into the place of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.

Haweis New Testament
Then the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I should see in 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 shall never believe it.

Mace New Testament
the other disciples therefore said to him, we have seen the Lord, but he said to them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Weymouth New Testament
So the rest of the disciples told him, "We have seen the Master!" His reply was, "Unless I see in his hands the wound made by the nails and put my finger into the wound, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it."

Worrell New Testament
The other disciples, therefore, said to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and press my hand into His side, I will not believe."

Worsley New Testament
The other disciples therefore told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” 26Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”…

Cross References
Luke 24:39
Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Mark 16:11-14
And when they heard that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they did not believe it. / After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. / And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. ...

Matthew 28:17
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 14:5
“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?”

1 Corinthians 15:5-8
and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. / After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. / Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ...

Acts 1:3
After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

John 11:16
Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”

John 6:30
So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do?

John 10:38
But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

John 5:36
But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

John 7:5
For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.

John 12:37
Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.

John 16:31
“Do you finally believe?” Jesus replied.

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.


Treasury of Scripture

The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the LORD. But he said to them, Except I shall see in 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.

We.

John 20:14-20
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus…

John 1:41
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

John 21:7
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

Except.

John 20:20
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

John 6:30
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Job 9:16
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

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John 20
1. Mary comes to the tomb;
3. so do Peter and John, ignorant of the resurrection.
11. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene,
19. and to his disciples.
24. The incredulity and confession of Thomas.
30. The Scripture is sufficient to salvation.














So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
This phrase highlights the excitement and conviction of the disciples after witnessing the resurrected Jesus. The disciples' testimony is crucial as it fulfills Jesus' earlier promise that He would rise again (John 2:19-22). The phrase underscores the importance of eyewitness testimony in the early church, as seen in Acts 1:8, where the disciples are called to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. The resurrection is central to Christian faith, as Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15:14-17, where he states that if Christ has not been raised, then the faith is futile.

But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands,
Thomas's response reflects a common human desire for tangible evidence. The mention of "nail marks" is significant, as it confirms the method of crucifixion, a Roman execution practice. This detail aligns with Psalm 22:16, which prophetically describes the Messiah's hands and feet being pierced. Thomas's skepticism is not unique; it mirrors the doubts of others who initially struggled to believe in the resurrection (Luke 24:11).

and put my finger where the nails have been,
Thomas's demand to physically touch Jesus' wounds indicates a deep need for personal verification. This request highlights the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection body, countering any notion that the resurrection was merely spiritual or metaphorical. The emphasis on touch recalls 1 John 1:1, where the apostle speaks of having heard, seen, and touched the Word of life, affirming the tangible reality of Jesus.

and put my hand into His side,
The reference to Jesus' side points back to John 19:34, where a soldier pierced Jesus' side, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 12:10 about looking on the one they have pierced. This act of touching the side would serve as undeniable proof of Jesus' identity and the reality of His resurrection. It also symbolizes the intimate and personal nature of faith, where belief often requires a personal encounter with Christ.

I will never believe.”
Thomas's declaration of disbelief unless he sees and touches Jesus' wounds highlights the struggle between faith and doubt. This moment sets the stage for Jesus' later appearance to Thomas, where He invites Thomas to touch His wounds, leading to Thomas's profound confession of faith in John 20:28. This interaction illustrates the grace and patience of Jesus in addressing doubt and the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ. Thomas's journey from doubt to belief serves as an encouragement for those who struggle with faith, reminding believers of Jesus' words in John 20:29, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Persons / Places / Events
1. Thomas (also called Didymus)
One of the twelve apostles, known for his skepticism and desire for tangible proof of Jesus' resurrection.

2. The Other Disciples
The group of Jesus' followers who had already witnessed the resurrected Christ and were sharing this news with Thomas.

3. The Upper Room
The likely location where the disciples were gathered when they encountered the risen Jesus, a place of fellowship and revelation.

4. The Resurrection of Jesus
The central event of Christian faith, where Jesus rose from the dead, confirming His divinity and the truth of His teachings.

5. The Nail Marks and Jesus' Side
Physical evidence of Jesus' crucifixion, which Thomas demanded to see to believe in the resurrection.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Faith
Faith often requires belief without physical evidence. Thomas' demand for proof challenges us to trust in the testimony of Scripture and the witness of the Holy Spirit.

The Importance of Community
The disciples shared their experience with Thomas, emphasizing the role of Christian community in strengthening and encouraging faith.

Jesus' Compassionate Response
Jesus later appears to Thomas, addressing his doubts directly. This shows Jesus' understanding and patience with our struggles in faith.

The Role of Doubt in Faith
Doubt is a natural part of the faith journey. Like Thomas, we can bring our doubts to Jesus, who meets us where we are.

The Evidence of the Resurrection
The physical resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian belief, providing hope and assurance of eternal life.(25) Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails.--This demand for the evidence of his own senses, and refusal to admit the testimony of eyewitnesses, though these were the whole of his ten brethren in the Apostolic band, remind us of the demand made to Christ Himself, "We know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the way?"

The reading of the second clause varies between "print of the nails" and "place of the nails." The Greek words vary by only one letter (?????, "print"; ?????, "place"), so that copyists may easily have taken one for the other. If we read "place," it answers to the touch of the finger, as "print" does to the sight of the eye; but, on the other hand, there is in the repetition an expression of determination, almost, we may say, amounting to obstinacy, which corresponds with the position which Thomas is taking.

And thrust my hand into his side.--Comp. John 20:20. The feet are not mentioned, but the hands and the side would be demonstrative evidence. We cannot properly infer from this verse that the feet were not nailed.

I will not believe.--The determination is expressed in its strongest form by the double Greek negative, "I will by no means believe."

Verse 25. - The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. Mary, Cleopas, Peter, John, bad all tried to animate his drooping spirit. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands (as I presume you have) the print of the nails, and (yet more than you have done - touch as well as see) put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will by no means believe - not merely in the Resurrection, which you attest, but in the grand reality I was fain to admit so recently, the supposed fact that he came from the Father, that he is the Way to the Father, that he is in the Father, that he is all he said he was. If Themas could grasp the new life, the new and hitherto unrevealed order of being, if he could spiritually see the realization of all the mystery of love in the Resurrection, then all that he was doubting would flash forth at once from its hiding-place. Perhaps, if he had been present with the rest, he would have accepted it; but how can he "believe through their word"? The extent of his doubt is further seen in this: he did not say, "If I see the print of the nails... I will believe;" but, "Except I see... I will by no means believe." The first manifestation of our Lord seemed to correspond with the first portion of the Savior's high-priestly prayer, viz. that he might himself be glorified; the second manifestation of the day corresponded with the prayer for the disciples; and now the third manifestation is to meet the difficulties of the third and more numerous class, who must gather all their conviction from the evidence of others. This subtle relation between parts of the Gospel shows how profound is the principle of its construction.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

other
ἄλλοι (alloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

disciples
μαθηταί (mathētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

told
ἔλεγον (elegon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

him,
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“We have seen
Ἑωράκαμεν (Heōrakamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord!”
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

he replied,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Unless
Ἐὰν (Ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

I see
ἴδω (idō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

nail
ἥλων (hēlōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2247: A nail. Of uncertain affinity; a stud, i.e. Spike.

marks
τύπον (typon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5179: From tupto; a die, i.e. a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e. A statue, style or resemblance; specially, a sampler, i.e. A model or instance.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

hands,
χερσὶν (chersin)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

put
βάλω (balō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

finger
δάκτυλόν (daktylon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1147: A finger. Probably from deka; a finger.

[where]
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

nails [have been],
ἥλων (hēlōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2247: A nail. Of uncertain affinity; a stud, i.e. Spike.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

put
βάλω (balō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

hand
χεῖρα (cheira)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5495: A hand.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

side,
πλευρὰν (pleuran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4125: The side of the body. Of uncertain affinity; a rib, i.e. side.

I will never believe.”
πιστεύσω (pisteusō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.


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