Thomas' Assertion That Jesus Is His God in John 20
In John 20:28, after Jesus appears to his disciples following his resurrection, Thomas declares, "My Lord and my God!" [1]. This exclamation comes after Thomas had previously stated he would not believe in Jesus' resurrection unless he could physically touch the nail marks in Jesus' hands and thrust his hand into Jesus' side [11].
The broader context of John 20 describes Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to his disciples. Mary Magdalene first encounters the risen Christ (John 20:11-18), followed by Jesus appearing to ten of his disciples, but Thomas is absent (John 20:19-23). It is during this initial appearance that Jesus shows them his hands and side, and breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit [1]. When the other disciples tell Thomas they have seen the Lord, he expresses his doubt, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent appearance specifically to address Thomas's skepticism [11]. Eight days later, Jesus again appears to the disciples, this time with Thomas present. Jesus directly addresses Thomas, inviting him to touch his wounds, demonstrating his omniscience by knowing Thomas's previous demand [11].
Thomas's response, "My Lord and my God!" (Greek: Ho Kyrios mou kai ho Theos mou), is understood by many scholars not as a mere exclamation of surprise, but as a profound confession of faith in Jesus' deity [5, 6]. The use of the definite article "ho" before both "Kyrios" (Lord) and "Theos" (God) emphasizes the direct address to Jesus [6]. This declaration is seen as the climax of John's Gospel, framing the entire book's assertion of Jesus' divine nature, which began in John 1:1-18 [5].
The interpretation of Thomas's statement as an affirmation of Jesus' divinity is widely held. John Gill notes that Thomas acknowledges Jesus as "Lord" by creation and redemption, and "God" due to Jesus' omniscience and the power accompanying his words [8]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary suggests that Thomas, overwhelmed, makes a confession that surpasses all previous declarations of Christ's nature [7]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary, refutes the idea that Thomas's words were an exclamation directed to the Father, arguing that such an interpretation does violence to the grammatical construction of the text, which clearly addresses Jesus [6]. He points out that Theodore of Mopsuestia was anathematized by the Fifth Ecumenical Council for suggesting otherwise [6].
The Gospel of John consistently presents Jesus as divine. John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" [12]. Other passages reinforce this, such as Jesus' claims of unity with the Father (John 10:30, 38; 14:10) [10]. The Tyndale House commentary on 1 John 5:20 explicitly links John 20:28 with other passages (John 1:1, 18; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1) to assert that Jesus Christ is the "only true God" [9]. Torrey's Topical Textbook also compiles numerous Old and New Testament references to demonstrate Christ's identity as God, including titles like "Jehovah," "Jehovah of Hosts," and "Jehovah, our Righteousness" [2, 4].
Thomas's confession is significant because it moves beyond merely acknowledging Jesus as a prophet or Messiah to recognizing his full divine nature. Jesus' response to Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29), emphasizes the nature of faith that does not require physical proof [7]. This verse has been cross-referenced with Psalm 1:1, suggesting a connection to the blessedness of those who trust in God [3]. Thomas's journey from doubt to profound belief serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' resurrection and deity, concluding the Gospel's argument for who Jesus truly is [5].
Sources
- John “Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” -- John 20:28”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.1.1 → John.20.29 (confidence: 30 votes)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 20:28: 20:28 “My Lord and my God!” This was not an astonished exclamation but a proclamation of heartfelt belief. It concludes John’s declaration of Jesus’ deity that has framed the whole book (see 1:1-18).”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 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 construction who can apply the address here to any but Christ. The text is plain: Jesu”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 20:28: Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God--That Thomas did not do what Jesus invited him to do, and what he had made the condition of his believing, seems plain from Joh 20:29 ("Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed"). He is overpowered, and the glory of Christ now breaks upon him in a flood. His exclamation surpasses all that had been yet uttered, nor can it be surpassed by anything that ever will be uttered in earth or heaven. On the striking parallel in Nathanael, see on Joh 1:49. The Socinian invasion of the supreme divinity of C”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 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 asserts his interest in him as his Lord and his God; which denotes his subjection to him,”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 5:20: 5:20 The NLT interprets the phrase the true God as referring to God, since the next phrase refers to his Son, Jesus Christ. John is also saying that Jesus Christ is the only true God (see John 1:1, 18; 20:28; Rom 9:5; Titus 2:13; 2 Pet 1:1). • To have fellowship with Jesus Christ is to have eternal life, because he is eternal life (1 Jn 5:12; see John 1:4; 3:16; 14:6; 20:31).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 14:10: 14:10 Jesus’ claims were astonishing (10:30, 37-38). Yet true faith recognizes Jesus’ union with God the Father.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 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 the manner thou hast desired; which shows the omniscience of Christ, who knew what h”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 1:18: 1:18 Moses was denied his desire to see God directly (Exod 33:18-20). Only Jesus has seen the Father, so he alone completely knows him and can tell us about him (John 3:32-35; 14:9-10). • But the unique One, who is himself God: The Son, who sees the Father, is himself God—not simply a messenger who knows something about God. John explicitly affirms Christ’s deity. Jesus shares the substance of God’s being.”