Thomas

Twin, one of the twelve (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18, etc.). He was also called Didymus (John 11:16; 20:24), which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name. All we know regarding him is recorded in the fourth Gospel (John 11:15, 16; 14:4, 5; 20:24, 25, 26-29). From the circumstance that in the lists of the apostles he is always mentioned along with Matthew, who was the son of Alphaeus (Mark 3:18), and that these two are always followed by James, who was also the son of Alphaeus, it has been supposed that these three, Matthew, Thomas, and James, were brothers.

(a twin), one of the apostles. According to Eusebius, his real name was Judas. This may have been a mere confusion with Thaddeus, who is mentioned in the extract. But it may also be that; Thomas was a surname. Out of this name has grown the tradition that he had a twin-sister, Lydia, or that he was a twin-brother of our Lord; which last, again, would confirm his identification with Judas. Comp. (Matthew 13:55) He is said to have been born at Antioch. In the catalogue of the apostles he is coupled with Matthew in (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15) and with Philip in (Acts 1:13) All that we know of him is derived from the Gospel of St. John; and this amounts to three traits, which, however, so exactly agree together that, slight as they are they place his character before us with a precision which belongs to no other of the twelve apostles except Peter, John and Judas Iscariot. This character is that of a man slow to believe, seeing all the difficulties of a case, subject to despondency, viewing things on the darker side, yet full of ardent love of his Master. The latter trait was shown in his speech when our Lord determined to face the dangers that awaited him in Judea on his journey to Bethany. Thomas said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16) His unbelief appeared in his question during the Last Supper: “Thomas saith unto him Lord we know not whither thou goest, and how can we: know the way?” (John 14:5) It was the prosaic, incredulous doubt as to moving a step in the unseen future, and yet an eager inquiry as to how this step was to be taken. The first-named trait was seen after the resurrection. He was absent—possibly by accident, perhaps characteristically—from the first assembly when Jesus had appeared. The others told…

a twin

THOM'AS (twin), one of the twelve apostles, was also called " Didymus " ("the twin"). We know little of his history. He seems to have been of singular temperament, cautious, sceptical, thoughtful, and gloomy, yet holding fast tenaciouslv what he once believed. John 11:16; Deut 14:5; John 20:20-29. He represents the honest, truth-loving scepticism among the apostles; he would not believe in the resurrection till he had tangible evidence of it, but then he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" Those who, not having seen, yet believe, are highly commended. There are various traditions in regard to his history after the ascension of Christ. The earlier represent him as preaching in Persia; the later, in India. He suffered martyrdom.

THOM'AS (twin), one of the twelve apostles, was also called " Didymus " ("the twin"). We know little of his history. He seems to have been of singular temperament, cautious, sceptical, thoughtful, and gloomy, yet holding fast tenaciouslv what he once believed. John 11:16; Deut 14:5; John 20:20-29. He represents the honest, truth-loving scepticism among the apostles; he would not believe in the resurrection till he had tangible evidence of it, but then he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" Those who, not having seen, yet believe, are highly commended. There are various traditions in regard to his history after the ascension of Christ. The earlier represent him as preaching in Persia; the later, in India. He suffered martyrdom.