Bible Strands
John 20:24
Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records that Thomas, identified as one of the Twelve, was absent from the group when Jesus physically appeared to the disciples. This event occurs immediately after Jesus grants the remaining disciples the authority to forgive or withhold sins.
The words — The phrase εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα (heis ek tōn dōdeka) literally means "one of the Twelve," formally tying Thomas to the apostolic circle. The participle λεγόμενος (legomenos) translates as "being called," noting that Didymus is his recognized secondary name.
The thread — The absence contrasts with John 11:16, where Thomas previously pledges to die with Jesus, and mirrors John 6:66, where many disciples depart but the core group remains. Hebrews 10:25 explicitly warns against the habit of neglecting corporate gathering, which Thomas initially practiced here.
Why it lands — The text states plainly that physical absence from a community precedes a demand for empirical proof. It requires the reader to confront how isolation conditions spiritual expectations and delays acceptance of revealed truth.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
Cross-references
- John 11:16 Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”
- Hebrews 10:25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- John 6:66 From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
- John 14:5 “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?”
- John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
- Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
- Matthew 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;