John 20:28

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Complete Jewish Bible:

T’oma answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Berean Standard Bible:

Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

American Standard Version:

Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} Thomas^{G2381} answered^{G611} and^{G2532} said^{G2036} unto him^{G846}, My^{G3450} Lord^{G2962} and^{G2532} my^{G3450} God^{G2316}.

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Commentary for John 20:28

John 20:28 is a pivotal moment in the post-resurrection narrative of Jesus Christ, found within the Gospel of John. This verse captures the transformation of Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, from skepticism to profound faith. After previously doubting the reports of Jesus' resurrection, Thomas demands tangible proof, asking to touch the wounds of the risen Christ. When Jesus appears and invites Thomas to do so, Thomas responds with the exclamation, "My Lord and my God," signifying his recognition of Jesus' divine nature and his personal commitment to Jesus as both his master and deity.

This declaration is significant for several reasons. Theologically, it reinforces the Christian doctrine of the divinity of Christ, emphasizing that Jesus is not merely a human teacher but God incarnate. Historically, Thomas' proclamation stands as one of the earliest credal statements of Christian faith, encapsulating the belief in Jesus' dual nature as fully human and fully divine—a belief that would become central to orthodox Christian theology.

The verse also reflects the broader context of early Christian communities grappling with the nature of Jesus. The Gospel of John, written later than the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), addresses the needs of a church that had to defend the deity of Christ against various heresies. Thomas' emphatic confession serves as a powerful testimony to the church's foundational belief in Jesus' divinity, a belief that continues to shape Christian doctrine and practice.

In summary, John 20:28 is a climactic verse in the Gospel of John, highlighting the personal journey of Thomas from doubt to faith and providing a clear affirmation of Jesus' divine identity. It serves as a historical and theological touchstone for the Christian understanding of Jesus as both Lord and God, and it continues to inspire believers to affirm their faith in the risen Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2381
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Θωμᾶς
   Transliteration: Thōmâs
   Pronunciation: tho-mas'
   Description: of Chaldee origin (compare תָּאוֹם); the twin; Thomas, a Christian:--Thomas.
   
3. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
5. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3450
   There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοῦ
   Transliteration: moû
   Pronunciation: moo
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).