John 20:27-29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 20:26-31

We have here an account of another appearance of Christ to his disciples, after his resurrection, when Thomas was now with them. And concerning this we may observe, I. When it was that Christ repeated his visit to his disciples: After eight days, that day seven-night after he rose, which must therefore be, as that was, the first day of the week. 1. He deferred his next appearance for some time, to show his disciples that he was not risen to such a life as he had formerly lived, to converse... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:24-29

20:24-29 But Thomas, who is called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." He said to them: "Unless I see the print of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the print of the nails, and unless I put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Eight days later the disciples were again in the room, and Thomas was with them. When the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said: "Peace... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:24-29

We do not know for sure what happened to Thomas in the after days; but there is an apocryphal book called The Acts of Thomas which purports to give his history. It is of course only legend, but there may well be some history beneath the legend; and certainly in it Thomas is true to character. Here is part of the story which it tells. After the death of Jesus the disciples divided up the world among them, so that each might go to some country to preach the gospel. India fell by lot to Thomas.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:27

Then saith he to Thomas ,.... For whose sake he chiefly came, and whom he at once singled out from the rest, and called by name in the most friendly manner, without upbraiding or reproaching him for not believing the testimony that had been given him: reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thine hand and thrust it into my side ; that is, make use of every way by seeing, feeling, and examining the scars in my hands, and the hole in my side, and satisfy thyself in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:28

And Thomas answered and said unto him ,.... Without examining his hands and side, and as astonished at his condescension and grace, and ashamed of his unbelief: my Lord and my God ; he owns him to be Lord, as he was both by creation and redemption; and God, of which he was fully assured from his omniscience, which he had given a full proof of, and from the power that went along with his words to his heart, and from a full conviction he now had of his resurrection from the dead. He... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:29

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas ,.... The word Thomas is omitted in the Alexandrian copy, and in Beza's ancient copy, and in some others, and in the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions. Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed ; which carries in it a tacit and gentle reproof for his unbelief, and suggests, that if he had not seen, he would not have believed; but is not so harsh as if that had been expressed; and which the Jews were wont to do in a severe manner F25 T. Bab. Bava... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:27

Then saith he to Thomas - Through his infinite compassion, he addressed him in a particular manner; condescending in this case to accommodate himself to the prejudices of an obstinate, though sincere, disciple. Reach hither thy finger, etc. - And it is very probable that Thomas did so; for his unbelief was too deeply rooted to be easily cured. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:28

Thomas answered, etc. - Those who deny the Godhead of Christ would have us to believe that these words are an exclamation of Thomas, made through surprise, and that they were addressed to the Father and not to Christ. Theodore of Mopsuestia was the first, I believe, who gave the words this turn; and the fifth Ecumenic council, held at Constantinople, anathematized him for it. This was not according to the spirit of the Gospel of God. However, a man must do violence to every rule of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:29

Thomas - This word is omitted by almost every MS., version, and ancient commentator of importance. Blessed are they, etc. - Thou hast seen, and therefore thou hast believed, and now thou art blessed; thou art now happy - fully convinced of my resurrection; yet no less blessed shall all those be who believe in my resurrection, without the evidence thou hast had. From this we learn that to believe in Jesus, on the testimony of his apostles, will put a man into the possession of the very... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:29

Verse 29 29.Because thou hast seen me, Thomas. Christ blames nothing in Thomas, but that he was so slow to believe, that he needed to be violently drawn to faith by the experience of the senses; which is altogether at variance with the nature of faith. If it be objected, that nothing is more unsuitable than to say that faith is a conviction obtained from touching and seeing, the answer may be easily obtained from what I have already said; for it was not by mere touching or seeing that Thomas... read more

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