Ref: Mt 10:3, Mk 3:18, Lk 6:15, Jn 11:16, 14:5, 20:24-28, Acts 1:13
The name Thomas derives from the Hebrew for twin. This is why Thomas is also referred to as Didymus which is the Greek word for twin (John 11:16). Thomas is disproportionately known among the disciples simply on account of his doubting the other disciples had seen the risen Lord. Outside of the lists of the twelve Thomas is only found in the Gospel of John. In John Thomas is portrayed as a loyal disciple, although like the rest of them he is slow to grasp what Jesus was telling them.
Outside of the lists Thomas first appears in the story of Lazarus. Jesus determines to go back to Judea even though they had recently tried to stone him. Thomas speaks to the other disciples and says “let us go also that we might die with him” (John 11:16). Thomas doesn’t understand what Jesus is about to do, but resolves to go with Jesus, even if returning to Judea means death. The fact that Thomas encourages the other disciples to do likewise, shows his courage and loyalty. Thomas’ next appearance is at the last supper. Thomas responds to what Jesus is saying by first contradicting it and then questioning how he could say such things. Jesus answers Thomas but this frank exchange shows Thomas struggling to understand and not wishing to pretend he does (John 14:5).
Most famously Thomas is the central character of one of the resurrection accounts. Thomas wasn’t around when Jesus first appeared to the eleven disciples. When the others told Thomas he didn’t believe them. Thomas’ response was that unless he sees the nail print in Jesus’ hands and puts his finger in them and his hand into his side he would not believe (John 20:24-25). On a Sunday exactly one week after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the eleven offering them peace. Turning to Thomas Jesus invites him to put his finger in his hands and his hand into his side. He challenges Thomas telling him not to disbelieve but believe. We do not hear if Thomas takes Jesus up on the offer, but Thomas confesses that Jesus is his Lord and his God. Jesus says to Thomas that he has believed because he has seen but blessed are all those who will not see and yet believe (John 20:26-29). Thomas’ final appearance in John is the post resurrection fishing trip in Galilee. Thomas is amongst the seven disciples who experience a miraculous catch of fish and have breakfast together with Jesus (John 21:1-14).
Thomas was present for the Ascension and Pentecost and was around during the early days of the church. Tradition holds that Thomas was responsible for preaching the Gospel in India. There he is believed to have been martyred by being speared to death. This tradition though impossible to confirm seems to hold more weight than other post biblical accounts of the apostles. This may simply be because there is one consistent story, whereas with most of the apostles there are multiple conflicting accounts on how they died. Thomas sometimes is unfairly known as doubting Thomas. He may have been slow to grasp all that Jesus had said but this was no more than the rest of the disciples. As an Apostle it was essential that he both saw and believed the risen Jesus, as he would be responsible for declaring his eye witness testimony to those of us who have not seen but would believe. For the little we know about him we can see that Thomas was a man of character. He was both honest and earnest and this makes him highly relatable.