But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
JOHN 20:24KJVWhat does John 20:24 mean?
John 20:24 explains that Thomas, one of Jesus’ twelve closest followers (also called Didymus), was not present with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection. This sets up the story of Thomas’s initial doubt about Jesus rising from the dead.
The verse is part of the resurrection narrative in the Gospel of John. The writer is telling readers that Thomas missed a key moment when Jesus visited the other disciples. By mentioning both his Hebrew name (Thomas) and his Greek nickname (Didymus, meaning “twin”), the verse makes clear exactly which disciple is being discussed and prepares the reader for the events that follow, where Thomas’s reaction becomes important.
The Greek behind John 20:24
- “Δίδυμος” (Didymos, transliterated “Didymus”) means “twin.” The verse uses both “Thomas” and “Didymus” to clarify the disciple’s identity, likely because “Thomas” also means “twin” in Aramaic. This double naming helps readers from different backgrounds recognize him.
- “ἦν οὐ μετ’ αὐτῶν” (ēn ou met’ autōn, “was not with them”) emphasizes Thomas’s absence, which is crucial for understanding why he later expresses doubt—he simply did not witness what the others saw.
Why John 20:24 matters
- The verse explains why Thomas did not initially believe the other disciples’ report about seeing Jesus alive—he was not there when it happened.
- By identifying Thomas as both “one of the twelve” and “Didymus,” the verse connects him clearly to earlier stories and highlights his role in what follows.
- This detail sets up the well-known story of “Doubting Thomas,” showing that his doubt was based on missing a firsthand experience, not stubbornness or lack of faith.