The Life and Death of Thomas the Apostle

Today, most Christians have high opinions of Jesus’ original 12 disciples. As the first leaders of Christianity, they laid the foundation we stand on now. Their memories have enjoyed centuries of admiration—all of them, aside from Judas the Trader and Doubting Thomas.

As his nickname suggests, the Apostle Thomas is often remembered in a less-than-positive light. Unlike Peter or John, his story is typically brought up as an example of what not to do. Yet, like all of us who muddle our way through life, Thomas is more than the sum of his worst moments. Despite his doubt, he opened his heart to Christ, who then took him on one of the most inspiring journeys in early Christianity.

Thomas in The Gospels

Thomas was likely born in Galilee sometime between 1 and 10 AD. There are no records of his birth or early life, so it’s impossible to know the exact details. However, according to the synoptic Gospels, he was picked up by Jesus in Galilee sometime around the year 30 AD (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16).

The synoptic list Thomas among the original 12 disciples, but aside from that, nothing else is said. Our first piece of meaty information doesn’t come along until the Gospel of John.  

Thomas The Apostle in The Gospel of John

Thomas plays something of a side role in John’s Gospel. He is rarely at the forefront of the narrative, but he is still there. Through John, we learn about Thomas’ personality and relationship with Jesus.  

John 11:16 – The Loyalty of John

His first appearance in the Gospel happens shortly after Lazarus’ death. At this point in the story, Jesus has quite a few enemies in Judea. In fact, he was almost stoned to death in that region. In chapter 11, Jesus receives news that Lazarus, a close friend in Bethany (located in Judea), died from an illness. Upon hearing this, Jesus, much to the dismay of his disciples, declares that they are going back into the lion’s mouth.

In the following conversation, Thomas is contrasted with the other disciples, who immediately raise objections to the plan. Instead of making excuses, he turns to the others and says.  

“Let’s go also, that we may die with him.”

John 11:16

This short statement tells us a great deal about the character of Thomas. It’s apparent from the wording of the text he believed death was the only thing waiting for them in Bethany. Yet, he was still ready to follow Jesus’ lead and quietly obey his command. This kind of reaction is a beautiful example of loyalty and obedience.  

John 14:1-6 – Thomas The Apostle is Confused

Thomas’ second appearance happens during the last supper in chapter 14. Near the end of the meal, Jesus begins telling them about his imminent death, what will happen after, and the way to salvation. As the conversation continues, Jesus declares he is leaving to prepare a place for them. These words confuse Thomas, who asks,

“Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

John 14:5

Based on the language of the question, it’s likely Thomas thought Jesus was talking about an earthly destination. (A place that can be found if the location is known.)

There is also a possibility that Thomas may have found it hard to grasp or believe in the spiritual realities of Jesus’ Kingdom. However, this thought may be stepping too far into the realm of speculation.

John 20:25-29 – Doubting Thomas

Thomas’ final appearance in the Gospel is also his most famous. After the resurrection, Thomas finds himself at his lowest point. Despite the testimony of his fellow disciples, he does not believe Jesus came back from the dead. John records him declaring that he will not believe unless he touches physical evidence.

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he [Thomas] said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:25

Several factors could be contributing to Thomas’ doubt. For example, as mentioned above, he may have been the kind of person who struggles to believe in the supernatural.

Alternatively, it’s possible he couldn’t imagine Jesus coming back from the dead without visiting him.  

He may also have been struggling mentally with a massive paradigm shift. After all, the one he believed would rule Israel (and maybe the world) was tortured to death…. In that situation, anyone would be rethinking their life choices and the things they put their faith in going forward.  

However, no matter the reason, Jesus did not allow him to wallow in his unbelief.

Although this lack of faith earned him the nickname doubting Thomas, it was also the catalyst for the most beautiful and impactful confession of faith in the entire New Testament.

Why Did John Include Thomas The Apostle in His Gospel?

While reading Thomas’ story for this post, one of the things that struck me was the fact that the Synoptics barely mentioned him, while John uses his story as part of his Gospel’s climax. This discrepancy is due to the particular context surrounding both Thomas and John.

The Gnostic Problem  

In the late first century, Gnosticism became a very influential philosophical force in the Church. This was problematic since many Gnostic ideas are heretical in nature. John’s Gospel focuses on pushing back against their teaching regarding the deity of Christ.

Some Gnostic teachers claimed their extra non-orthodox teachings came from Thomas, who secretly received them from Jesus.

 “These are the secret words which the living Jesus spoke, and the twin, Didymos Judas Thomas wrote them down.

The Gospel of Thomas (A Gnostic text)

Unlike the other Apostles, who would have been able to refute this kind of claim, Thomas disappeared shortly after Pentecost and never returned. Consequently, his inclusion in the Gospel may have been an attempt to set the record strait.

Thomas The Missionary to India 

According to Christian tradition, Thomas took the Gospel deep into the interior of India. Today he is honored in both Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox circles as the patron saint of India.

Most of the information about his journey comes from the second-century work the Acts of Thomas (not to be confused with the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas). The Acts of Thomas is not a canonical work; it’s also not an exceptionally reliable historical account. However, the book contains helpful information about him and his life after Pentecost.

The Acts of Thomas

Each Apostle is designated a different piece of the world to minister to in the story. India is given to Thomas, who initially refuses to go. In response, Jesus finds Thomas in a local market and sells him to a couple of Indian slave traders. The dialogue in that part of the story is fascinating. After negotiating a price, Jesus calls Thomas over to them. The traders ask him if he is indeed Christ’s slave, and without missing a beat, Thomas replies, “Yes, I am.”

After arriving in India, he preached the word of God and constructed many churches. Today, several congregations trace their origins back to the Apostle.

Other Sources for Thomas’ Journey

Aside from the Acts of Thomas, there are a few other sources that claim he was a missionary to the East. For instance, Eusebius claims Thomas took the Gospel to India. He also says that Bartholomew was assigned to accompany him on the journey. Another reference can be found in a third-century document called the Didascalia Apostolorum, which says,

“India and all countries considering it, even to the farthest seas… received the apostolic ordinances from Judas Thomas, who was a guide and ruler in the church which he built.”

So, Thomas’ journey to India is well-accepted in both Indian and Western Christian traditions.

According to Syrian Christian tradition, Thomas died on a hill in Chennai on July 3, 72 AD (Latin tradition says it was on December 21 of the same year). According to the story, he was impaled by a spear.

Why Thomas is my Favorite

Each of Jesus’ Apostles had a significant impact on Christianity that we still feel today. Having said that, I think Thomas’ journey is one of the most underappreciated and relatable.

 I don’t know what it’s like to deny Christ in the face of persecution like Peter. I don’t know what kind of responsibility comes with being known as the disciple Jesus loved. However, I do know what it’s like to doubt Christianity’s non-physical realities. And so, I find Thomas’ struggle relatable.

I also find his story both poetic and inspiring. The disciple who struggled with faith also took the Gospel to the known end of the world. His journey of loyalty and obedience is a beautiful illustration of Christ’s transforming power and the heights he can take even the weakest of us; If only we say, “Yes, Lord, send me!”