John 20:27
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20:27
Verse 27 records Jesus’ direct address to Thomas after the latter’s skepticism. Jesus invites Thomas to examine his wounds—hands and side—an experiential invitation to faith. The cultural backdrop underscores the seriousness of doubt in a society that valued testimony and evidence. Thomas had famously declared, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails…” (John 20:25). Jesus meets him where he is, not with rebuke, but with an invitation to authentic belief grounded in the reality of the resurrection. The wording—“be not faithless, but believing”—offers a corrective to the zeal of proof-seeking that can border on cynicism. The event occurs within a community context, where eyewitness testimony is validated by a living encounter. This is not merely about the physical wounds but about credibility and trust in the risen Lord.
This verse crystallizes the gospel’s center: belief is rightly formed by encountering the risen Christ, not by abstract doctrine alone. It also engages with the concept of human response—God meets doubt with grace, not punishment. The call to belief is linked to Jesus’ identity as the crucified and risen Lord, which Thomas articulates later more fully in verse 28. The passage guards against a mere cognitive ascent; it invites experiential faith anchored in Christ’s real presence and wounds, symbolizing sacrifice and vulnerability.
Doubt can be a doorway to deeper faith. When you wrestle with questions about Jesus’ resurrection or fidelity, allow God to meet you in the actual concerns you carry—pain, fear, or disagreement. Practical steps: journal your doubts honestly, seek wise counsel within a community, and look for evidence of God’s faithfulness in daily life (answered prayers, transformed relationships). Consider using Thomas’ approach: bring your questions, lean into scripture, and invite God to reveal himself in tangible ways—through worship, Scripture, or service. The emphasis on “be believing” motivates disciplined pursuit of faith, not passive assent.
Cross-References: Matthew 28:17; Luke 24:38-39; John 11:25-26; 1 Peter 1:8-9; Romans 10:9-10