John 20:25
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, 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.
Original Language Analysis
ἔλεγον
said
G3004
ἔλεγον
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 46
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 46
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 46
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἑωράκαμεν
We have seen
G3708
Ἑωράκαμεν
We have seen
Strong's:
G3708
Word #:
7 of 46
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον
the Lord
G2962
κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
9 of 46
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 46
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἐὰν
G1437
Ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
14 of 46
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
15 of 46
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἴδω
I shall see
G1492
ἴδω
I shall see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
16 of 46
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρα
hand
G5495
χεῖρα
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
19 of 46
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 46
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τύπον
the print
G5179
τύπον
the print
Strong's:
G5179
Word #:
22 of 46
a die (as struck), i.e., (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e., a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specially, a samp
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 46
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βάλω
put
G906
βάλω
put
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
26 of 46
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
30 of 46
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τύπον
the print
G5179
τύπον
the print
Strong's:
G5179
Word #:
32 of 46
a die (as struck), i.e., (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e., a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specially, a samp
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
35 of 46
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βάλω
put
G906
βάλω
put
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
36 of 46
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
37 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρα
hand
G5495
χεῖρα
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
38 of 46
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
40 of 46
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
41 of 46
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
43 of 46
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οὐ
G3756
Cross References
Mark 16:11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.John 6:30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?Hebrews 3:12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.Psalms 78:32For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.Job 9:16If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.Matthew 27:42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.John 1:41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.John 21:7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.Luke 24:25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Historical Context
Thomas's demand for physical verification reflects Greco-Roman skepticism about resurrection. Greek philosophy generally dismissed bodily resurrection as impossible or undesirable—Plato taught soul's immortality but body's ultimate irrelevance. The Athenian philosophers mocked Paul's resurrection preaching (Acts 17:32). Jewish Sadducees likewise denied resurrection (Acts 23:8). Thomas's skepticism placed him in broad cultural company questioning resurrection possibility.
Yet Jewish Scripture promised bodily resurrection (Job 19:25-27, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2), and Pharisees affirmed it (Acts 23:8). Jesus had raised Lazarus (John 11), and Thomas witnessed it—making resurrection rejection strange. Perhaps Thomas's doubt stemmed not from philosophical skepticism but from emotional protection: having hoped once, he wouldn't risk hope's crushing disappointment again. Psychology recognizes this defense mechanism. Either way, Christ's gracious response to Thomas models patient engagement with doubt, meeting questioners where they are while calling them forward to mature faith.
Questions for Reflection
- When does healthy desire for evidence cross into proud demand for personalized proof before believing?
- How should Christian community respond to members struggling with honest doubt versus those promoting skepticism?
- What is the relationship between faith and evidence, and how much verification does responsible belief require?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. The disciples joyfully announce resurrection using the same phrase Mary spoke (v.18): heōrakamen ton kyrion (ἑωράκαμεν τὸν κύριον, "we have seen the Lord"). Their collective testimony should have convinced Thomas—multiple credible witnesses attesting the same reality. But he said unto them, 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.
Thomas's Greek is emphatic: ou mē pisteusō (οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω, "I will by no means believe") represents strongest possible negation. He demands empirical verification beyond what others received—not just seeing but touching. The specificity reveals prior knowledge: "print of the nails" (τύπον τῶν ἥλων, typon tōn hēlōn) and the spear-wound in Jesus's side (v.34). Thomas wants sensory proof matching exact crucifixion details. His skepticism seems scientific—refusing belief without evidence. Yet this demand reveals subtle pride: "My standards exceed others' testimony; I need personalized proof." Thomas represents empiricism's limits: spiritual reality requires faith response to sufficient testimony, not exhaustive personal verification of every claim. Christ will graciously meet Thomas's demand, but then pronounce blessed those who believe without such signs (v.29).