Jesus Appears to Thomas
Thomas doubts the resurrection until Jesus appears and invites him to touch His wounds. Thomas exclaims, 'My Lord and my God!'
John 20:24-29
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The Story
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!'
But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.'
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!'
Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.'
Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'
Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'
Thomas Believes
Kids Version
After Jesus rose from the dead, He visited His disciples. But one of them wasn't there—Thomas.
When Thomas got back, everyone was SO excited!
'Thomas! Thomas! We SAW Jesus! He's ALIVE!'
But Thomas shook his head. 'No way. I won't believe it unless I see Him myself. I need to see the holes in His hands and touch His side where the spear went in. Then I'll believe.'
A whole week went by. The disciples were together in a room with the doors locked.
Suddenly—Jesus was there! Right in the middle of the room!
'Peace be with you,' Jesus said.
Then Jesus looked at Thomas. He held out His hands.
'Thomas, come here. Look at My hands. Put your finger right here where the nails were. Touch My side. Stop doubting and BELIEVE!'
Thomas stared. It really WAS Jesus! He fell to his knees.
'My Lord and my God!'
Thomas believed! He KNEW Jesus was alive!
Jesus said something important: 'You believe because you've seen Me. But there will be people who believe without seeing—and they are blessed!'
That's US! We haven't seen Jesus with our eyes, but we believe He's real and alive. Jesus says we're BLESSED!
Jesus was patient with Thomas. He's patient with us too when we have questions or doubts. He wants us to believe!
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — John 20:24-29 (KJV)
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25The 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.
26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Memory Verse
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.”
— John 20:24 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Appears to Thomas” in the Bible?
Thomas doubts the resurrection until Jesus appears and invites him to touch His wounds. Thomas exclaims, 'My Lord and my God!' This story is found in John 20:24-29.
Where is “Jesus Appears to Thomas” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Appears to Thomas” is found in John 20:24-29, in the book of John.
What can children learn from “Jesus Appears to Thomas”?
This story teaches children about Faith, Doubt, Seeing and believing, Jesus' patience. Thomas wasn't there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. He said, 'I won't believe until I see for myself!' A week later, Jesus came back just for Thomas.