John 20:25-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 20:19-25

The infallible proof of Christ's resurrection was his showing himself alive, Acts 1:3. In these verses, we have an account of his first appearance to the college of the disciples, on the day on which he rose. He had sent them the tidings of his resurrection by trusty and credible messengers; but to show his love to them, and confirm their faith in him, he came himself, and gave them all the assurances they could desire of the truth of it, that they might not have it by hearsay only, and at... read more

Matthew Henry

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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:30-31

20:30-31 Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which have not been written in this book. These have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. It is quite clear that as the gospel was originally planned, it comes to an end with this verse. John 21:1-25 is to be regarded as an appendix and an afterthought. No passage in the gospels better sums up the aim of the writers than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said unto him ,.... Some time in the same week, as they had opportunity of seeing him, with great joy, and full assurance of faith in Christ's resurrection: we have seen the Lord ; they had not only the testimony of the women, and the declaration of the angels, but they saw him with their own eyes, and beheld even the very prints of the nails in his hands and feet, and of the spear in his side, and therefore could not be mistaken and imposed upon: a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:26

And after eight days ,.... That is, after another week, the same day a week later, which taking in the day in which Christ rose and appeared to Mary Magdalene, and his disciples, and the day in which he now appeared to the disciples with Thomas, made eight days; a like way of speaking see in Luke 9:28 compared with Matthew 17:1 . And Dr. Hammond has proved from Josephus F23 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. , that the Jews used to express a week by eight days. Again, his disciples were within... 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

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