John 20:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:28 captures one of the most profound and direct confessions of Jesus' divine nature in the New Testament, uttered by the formerly doubting disciple Thomas. Following his personal encounter with the resurrected Christ, who invited him to examine His wounds, Thomas's declaration, "My Lord and my God," unequivocally affirms Jesus' identity as both sovereign Master and the supreme Divinity, marking a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John's presentation of Christology.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic moment in the narrative of Thomas's doubt and subsequent belief, which immediately follows Jesus' initial post-resurrection appearance to ten of His disciples. In [John 20:19-23](/john/20-19-23 "John 20:19-23 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples"), Jesus appears in the locked room, breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, and commissions them. Thomas, however, was absent during this first appearance and famously declared his refusal to believe without tangible proof, stating, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" ([John 20:25](/john/20-25 "John 20:25 - Thomas's Declaration of Doubt")). Eight days later, Jesus reappears, this time with Thomas present, and directly addresses Thomas's specific demands, inviting him to touch His wounds ([John 20:26-27](/john/20-26-27 "John 20:26-27 - Jesus Appears to Thomas")). Thomas's confession in [John 20:28](/john/20-28 "John 20:28 - Thomas's Confession") is his immediate and overwhelming response to this personal, compassionate confrontation by the risen Lord. The narrative then concludes with Jesus' blessing on those who believe without seeing ([John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Jesus' Blessing on Believers")) and a statement of the Gospel's purpose ([John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - Purpose of John's Gospel")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For a first-century Jew, the declaration "My Lord and my God" carried immense theological weight within the strict monotheistic framework of Judaism, as articulated in the Shema ([Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema")). To call anyone other than Yahweh (YHWH) "my God" would have been considered blasphemy. The title "Lord" (Greek: _Kyrios_) was often used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to translate the divine name YHWH, especially when referring to God's sovereignty and authority. Therefore, Thomas's dual confession was not merely a respectful address but an astounding theological affirmation. It reflected a profound shift in understanding for a Jewish disciple, acknowledging Jesus not just as the Messiah or a prophet, but as fully divine, sharing the very essence and identity of God. This confession laid foundational groundwork for the early church's developing Christology, grappling with how Jesus could be both fully human and fully God within a monotheistic worldview.

* **Key Themes:** John 20:28 encapsulates several central themes of John's Gospel. Foremost is the **Deity of Christ**, as Thomas's confession is the most explicit and direct affirmation of Jesus' divine identity by a human character in the Gospels, echoing the prologue's declaration that "the Word was God" ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). It powerfully reinforces Jesus' claims throughout the Gospel to be one with the Father ([John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - I and the Father Are One")) and to possess divine attributes. Another significant theme is **Overcoming Doubt**, as Thomas's journey from skepticism to profound worship serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of a personal encounter with the risen Christ. His honest questioning ultimately led to a deeper, more robust faith. This episode also highlights the **Nature of True Faith**, moving beyond the need for physical sight to a blessed belief in the unseen, as Jesus Himself states in [John 20:29](/john/20-29 "Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing"). Finally, the passage underscores the **Transformative Power of the Resurrection**, demonstrating how the reality of Jesus' victory over death fundamentally reshapes human understanding and elicits worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** This verb, meaning "to conclude for oneself" or "to respond," highlights that Thomas's declaration was not a casual remark but a deliberate, considered reply to Jesus' direct invitation. It signifies a decisive turning point, a definitive response to the evidence presented before him.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** Derived from a root implying supremacy, this term denotes supreme authority, a controller, or Master. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates the Hebrew YHWH, the personal name of God. Thomas's use of "My Lord" signifies not only his recognition of Jesus' absolute authority over him but also his acknowledgment of Jesus' divine sovereignty, aligning Him with the God of Israel.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** This word refers to a deity, specifically (with the definite article as used here) the supreme Divinity. Thomas's confession, "My God," is the most explicit and unequivocal declaration of Jesus' full deity found on the lips of a human character in the Gospels. It identifies Jesus as the very essence of the divine, worthy of worship and ultimate allegiance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Thomas answered and said unto him":** This phrase emphasizes the direct and immediate nature of Thomas's response to Jesus' compassionate challenge. It is a verbal, public confession, not merely an internal realization. The act of "answering and saying" underscores the profound impact of Jesus' presence and invitation on Thomas, compelling him to articulate his newfound conviction.
* **"My Lord":** This part of the confession signifies Thomas's recognition of Jesus' absolute authority and mastery over his life. The possessive pronoun "my" indicates a deeply personal allegiance and submission. The term "Lord" (Kyrios) here carries the weight of divine sovereignty, indicating that Thomas perceives Jesus as the rightful ruler and master, echoing the Old Testament's designation of God.
* **"and my God":** This is the pinnacle of Thomas's confession. The addition of "and my God" elevates Jesus beyond mere Lordship to full divine identity. The possessive "my" again personalizes this acknowledgment, signifying Thomas's worship and devotion to Jesus as his own personal God. This declaration is a direct and unambiguous affirmation of Jesus' co-equality with the Father, identifying Him as the supreme Divinity.

#### Literary Devices
The profound impact of [John 20:28](/john/20-28 "John 20:28 - Thomas's Confession") is amplified through several literary devices. The narrative employs **Climax**, as Thomas's confession serves as the emotional and theological peak of his personal journey from doubt to faith within this chapter, and indeed, a significant Christological climax within the entire Gospel. There is powerful **Juxtaposition** between Thomas's initial stubborn skepticism ("I will not believe") and his ultimate, unreserved declaration of faith, highlighting the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ. The use of **Direct Address** ("My Lord and my God") makes the confession intensely personal and immediate, demonstrating Thomas's direct engagement with Jesus. Furthermore, the scene presents a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the disciple initially characterized by his doubt becomes the one who utters the most explicit affirmation of Jesus' deity in the Gospels, underscoring that even the most resistant hearts can be transformed by divine encounter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Thomas's confession, "My Lord and my God," is a cornerstone of Christian Christology, providing an unequivocal affirmation of Jesus' full deity. It confirms that Jesus is not merely a prophet, a good teacher, or even the Messiah, but is God incarnate, worthy of worship and adoration. This declaration resonates deeply with the Gospel of John's overarching purpose to present Jesus as the divine Son of God, through whom eternal life is found. It underscores the profound mystery of the Incarnation, where the infinite God condescends to take on human flesh, yet retains His divine essence. This theological truth is foundational to understanding the efficacy of Christ's atoning work and His ongoing role as Lord and Savior.

* [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Lordship")
* [Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - God Calls the Son God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Thomas's journey from stubborn skepticism to profound worship in [John 20:28](/john/20-28 "John 20:28 - Thomas's Confession") offers a powerful and relatable paradigm for every believer. His honest expression of doubt, rather than being condemned, was met with Jesus' compassionate and direct engagement, leading to a deeper, more personal faith. This reminds us that questioning and wrestling with spiritual truths are not antithetical to faith but can, when pursued sincerely, lead to a more robust and authentic relationship with God. For us today, who have not seen Jesus physically, Thomas's experience challenges us to move beyond a faith dependent on tangible proof to one that embraces belief in the unseen, trusting in the testimony of Scripture and the Holy Spirit's conviction. Our own confession of Jesus as "My Lord and my God" must be a personal, heartfelt declaration that shapes our worship, informs our obedience, and defines our identity as His disciples, acknowledging His supreme authority and divine nature in every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Thomas's journey from doubt to profound faith resonate with your own spiritual journey?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to declare Jesus as "My Lord and my God"?**
* **In what ways does this confession impact your daily life, worship, and understanding of Christ's authority?**

### FAQ

**Was Thomas's confession of Jesus as "God" unique or the first in the Gospels?**

Answer: While other individuals in the Gospels recognized Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God, or Lord, Thomas's declaration in [John 20:28](/john/20-28 "John 20:28 - Thomas's Confession") is arguably the most explicit and direct verbal confession of Jesus as "God" (_theós_) by a human character in the New Testament. Peter's confession in [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession of Christ") identifies Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," which implies deity but is not as direct as Thomas's "My Lord and my God." The Gospel of John itself begins by declaring Jesus' deity ("the Word was God" in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), but Thomas's statement is a human response to the resurrected Christ, making it uniquely significant.

**What is the significance of the definite article "ho" before "Lord" and "God" in the Greek?**

Answer: In the original Greek, Thomas's confession is "Ho Kyrios mou kai ho Theos mou." The presence of the definite article "ho" (the) before both "Lord" (_Kyrios_) and "God" (_Theos_) is highly significant. It indicates that Thomas is not merely calling Jesus "a lord" or "a god" among many, but specifically identifying Him as "the Lord" and "the God"—the one and only true God. This grammatical construction emphasizes Jesus' unique and supreme divine identity, aligning Him unequivocally with the God of Israel and underscoring His absolute claim to worship and allegiance. It is a powerful theological statement affirming Jesus' co-equality with God the Father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Thomas's profound confession in [John 20:28](/john/20-28 "John 20:28 - Thomas's Confession") stands as a powerful Christ-centered fulfillment, revealing the ultimate purpose of Jesus' incarnation, life, death, and resurrection. Jesus is "My Lord and my God" because He is the one through whom God's redemptive plan for humanity is fully accomplished. His divine nature, affirmed by Thomas, ensures His authority and power to conquer sin and death, making His resurrection the cornerstone of Christian hope ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")). As Lord, Jesus exercises supreme authority over all creation, having been exalted to the highest place ([Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ's Supremacy")), and as God, He is fully capable of reconciling all things to Himself ([Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of Christ")). Thomas's exclamation, born out of a personal encounter with the risen Christ, foreshadows the universal recognition of Jesus' Lordship that will one day occur, when "every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Lordship")). Thus, Thomas's confession is not merely a historical event but a timeless declaration of the saving and sovereign identity of Jesus Christ, the very God who came to redeem His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 1:1

¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 14:33

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

John 5:23

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Luke 24:52

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: