John 20:24-25

The Response of Thomas

20:24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), ¹  one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 20:25 The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, ²  “Unless I see the wounds ³  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!” ⁴ 

[20:24]  ¹ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author; Didymus means “the twin” in Greek.

[20:25]  ² tn Grk “but he said to them.”

[20:25]  ³ tn Or “marks.”

[20:25]  ⁴ tn The word “it” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context. The use of “it” here as direct object of the verb πιστεύσω (pisteusw) specifies exactly what Thomas was refusing to believe: that Jesus had risen from the dead, as reported by his fellow disciples. Otherwise the English reader may be left with the impression Thomas was refusing to “believe in” Jesus, or “believe Jesus to be the Christ.” The dramatic tension in this narrative is heightened when Thomas, on seeing for himself the risen Christ, believes more than just the resurrection (see John 20:28).