John 20:28

John 20:28, in plain English

Thomas goes from deep doubt to the boldest declaration of faith in all the Gospels, calling Jesus his Lord and his God.

Why it's here

Just days earlier, Thomas refused to believe unless he could see and touch the wounds himself. Now face to face with the risen Jesus, all his doubt melts away.

Who's speaking

Thomas speaks these words directly to Jesus, pouring out his heart in worship.

Where it sits in the story

This is one of the most powerful turnarounds in all of Scripture. If you've ever struggled with doubt, Thomas shows you that honest wrestling can lead to the deepest faith.

The scholarly reading

Thomas's declaration 'Ho Kyrios mou kai ho Theos mou' constitutes the highest Christological confession in the Fourth Gospel, applying the divine title Theos directly to Jesus.

Language and setting

This confession answers the skepticism Thomas expressed in verse 25 and forms an inclusio with the Prologue's declaration that the Logos was God (1:1).

Voice

Thomas speaks directly to the risen Jesus, using the vocative case to address Him as both Lord and God.

Significance

After doubting the resurrection reports for a week, Thomas encounters the risen Christ and responds with the most exalted confession of faith in the entire Gospel. His doubt is transformed into the fullest theological declaration any disciple makes.

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.”

27Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

Read all of John 20 — Mary weeping in a garden hears her name spoken by a voice she thought she'd lost forever. Then Jesus walks into a locked room: peace.