of Chaldee origin (compare תָּאוֹם); the twin; Thomas, a Christian:--Thomas.
Transliteration:Thōmâs
Pronunciation:tho-mas'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma Θωμᾶς (Thōmâs, `{{G2381}}`) is a transliteration of an Aramaic proper noun. Its etymological root is linked to the Aramaic/Hebrew word תָּאוֹם (ta'om, compare `{{H8380}}`), which means "twin." Therefore, the core meaning of the name Thōmâs is "the twin." In the New Testament, its semantic range is exclusively limited to identifying one specific individual: Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. It does not carry any broader conceptual meaning beyond this proper noun designation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Thōmâs (`{{G2381}}`) appears consistently in the New Testament as the name of one of Jesus' twelve apostles. He is listed among the disciples in the synoptic gospels: [[Matthew 10:3]], [[Mark 3:18]], and [[Luke 6:15]]. He is also present among the apostles in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension, awaiting the Holy Spirit in [[Acts 1:13]].
The most extensive and insightful portrayals of Thomas are found in the Gospel of John, where he is often referred to as Thomas, also called Didymus (`{{G1324}}`), with Didymus being the Greek equivalent of "twin."
* In [[John 11:16]], when Jesus resolves to return to Bethany despite the dangers, Thomas courageously declares to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." This statement reveals a deep, albeit somewhat pessimistic, loyalty and commitment to Jesus, even unto death.
* During Jesus' farewell discourse in [[John 14:5]], Thomas interjects, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" This question prompts Jesus' profound and foundational declaration: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
* The most famous account involving Thomas is found in [[John 20:24-29]]. Thomas is absent when the resurrected Jesus first appears to the disciples. Upon hearing their testimony, he famously asserts, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, Jesus appears again to the disciples, with Thomas present. Jesus directly addresses Thomas's skepticism, inviting him to touch his wounds. Thomas responds not by touching, but with the profound confession, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus then blesses those who believe without seeing. This narrative highlights Thomas's initial demand for empirical proof and his subsequent, powerful affirmation of Jesus' identity as both Lord and God.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H8380}}` (ta'om):** This Aramaic/Hebrew word signifies "twin" and is the linguistic root from which the name Thōmâs is derived.
* **`{{G1324}}` (Didymos):** This Greek word also means "twin" and is frequently used in the Gospel of John in conjunction with Thomas's name (e.g., [[John 11:16]], [[John 20:24]], [[John 21:2]]), serving to clarify the meaning of the Aramaic name for Greek-speaking audiences.
* **Apostle (`{{G652}}`):** Thomas is consistently identified as one of the twelve apostles, signifying his foundational role as a messenger and witness to Christ's ministry and resurrection.
* **Doubt and Faith:** The narrative in [[John 20]] inextricably links Thomas with the themes of doubt, skepticism, and the eventual triumph of faith that leads to a profound confession of Christ's deity. His journey from disbelief to conviction serves as a paradigm for the nature of belief.
* **Witness:** As an apostle, Thomas was a primary witness to Jesus' earthly ministry, His death, and crucially, His resurrection, even if his initial response to the latter was one of skepticism. His ultimate confession is a powerful testimony.
### Theological Significance
The figure of Thomas, "the Twin," holds profound theological significance, particularly through the detailed accounts in the Gospel of John. His initial skepticism regarding the resurrection, which has earned him the moniker "Doubting Thomas," is not presented as a flaw to be condemned but rather as a relatable human struggle. This struggle serves to underscore the *tangible reality* of Jesus' resurrection; Thomas's demand for physical proof and subsequent belief validates the corporeal nature of the risen Christ.
His confession, "My Lord and my God!" in [[John 20:28]], stands as one of the most explicit and powerful declarations of Jesus' divine nature in the New Testament. This confession, born out of a direct encounter with the resurrected Christ, becomes a cornerstone for Christian theology, affirming the deity of Jesus. Furthermore, Jesus' response to Thomas in [[John 20:29]], "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," extends this blessing to all future believers who come to faith without direct physical encounter, establishing a principle for faith across generations.
Thomas's earlier willingness to die with Jesus ([[John 11:16]]) demonstrates a deep, if sometimes melancholic, loyalty and commitment that highlights the sacrificial nature of discipleship. His questioning in [[John 14:5]] also serves a crucial theological purpose, eliciting Jesus' self-revelation as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," a fundamental statement about salvation and the means of access to God the Father.
In sum, Thomas's journey from questioning to profound confession offers a powerful archetype for the believer's path. It emphasizes that genuine faith can emerge even from honest doubt, leading to a deeper, more robust conviction rooted in the truth of Christ's person and work.
### Summary
The Greek lemma Θωμᾶς (Thōmâs, `{{G2381}}`), derived from an Aramaic word meaning "the twin," refers exclusively to one of Jesus' twelve apostles in the New Testament. While listed in the synoptic gospels and Acts, his character is most vividly developed in the Gospel of John, where he is also called Didymus (`{{G1324}}`), the Greek word for "twin." Thomas is portrayed as a loyal but questioning disciple, notably expressing a willingness to die with Jesus ([[John 11:16]]) and prompting Jesus' "I am the way" declaration ([[John 14:5]]). His most famous episode in [[John 20:24-29]] details his initial doubt concerning the resurrection, which is ultimately overcome by a direct encounter with the risen Christ, leading to his profound confession, "My Lord and my God!" This narrative makes Thomas a powerful theological figure, illustrating that authentic faith can arise from honest inquiry and serves as a testament to the tangible reality of the resurrection and the deity of Christ for all who believe without seeing. His story affirms the journey of faith, where even doubt can lead to deeper conviction and worship.
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