20:27 20:27

John 20:28

20:29 20:29

Bible Versions

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
And {G2532} Thomas {G2381} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, My {G3450} Lord {G2962} and {G2532} my {G3450} God {G2316}.
T’oma answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

John 20:28 presents one of the most profound confessions of faith in the New Testament, uttered by Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. This pivotal statement directly acknowledges the divine nature of Jesus Christ, marking a significant moment in the narrative of the resurrection.

Context

This verse follows a period of intense doubt for the disciple Thomas. After Jesus' initial appearance to the other disciples following His resurrection, Thomas was not present. He famously declared, "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). Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to His disciples, this time with Thomas present. Jesus specifically invited Thomas to examine His wounds, addressing his exact demands (John 20:27). It is in response to this personal encounter that Thomas utters this powerful declaration.

Key Themes

  • The Deity of Christ: Thomas's confession, "My Lord and my God," is the most explicit and direct affirmation of Jesus' divine identity in the Gospels. It unequivocally declares Jesus to be God, echoing earlier statements in John's Gospel about Jesus' divine nature (John 1:1).
  • Overcoming Doubt: Thomas's journey from skepticism to profound faith serves as an encouragement for those who struggle with doubt. His honest questioning ultimately led to a deeper understanding and worship of the risen Lord.
  • Personal Encounter with the Risen Lord: The verse highlights the transformative power of a personal encounter with Jesus. While Thomas initially required physical proof, his confession arose from seeing and experiencing the reality of the resurrected Christ.
  • The Nature of True Faith: Following Thomas's confession, Jesus states, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:29). This emphasizes the value of faith that does not rely on physical sight, a faith accessible to all subsequent generations.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase Thomas uses is "Ho Kyrios mou kai ho Theos mou." The presence of the definite article "ho" (the) before both "Lord" (Kyrios) and "God" (Theos) is significant. It emphasizes that Thomas is not merely calling Jesus "a lord" or "a god," but specifically identifying Him as "the Lord" and "the God" to whom he owes allegiance and worship. This is a direct and unambiguous acknowledgment of Jesus' divine essence, a claim only God Himself can rightly bear.

Practical Application

John 20:28 challenges every believer to consider their own confession of Jesus. Is He merely a good teacher or a prophet, or is He truly "My Lord and my God"? Thomas's experience reminds us that it is okay to have questions and doubts, but genuine seeking can lead to profound revelation and a stronger faith. This verse also serves as a foundational declaration for Christian theology, affirming the deity of Jesus Christ as central to our understanding of salvation and God's nature. Believers today are among those "blessed" who have not seen but still believe, called to acknowledge Jesus as sovereign Lord and divine God in their lives.

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.

  • 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:
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