King James Version

What Does John 20:27 Mean?

John 20:27 in the King James Version says “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my ... — study this verse from John chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then 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.

John 20:27 · KJV


Context

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.

26

And 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.

27

Then 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.

28

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side—Jesus directly addresses Thomas's specific demand (v. 25): "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." Christ quotes Thomas's exact requirements, demonstrating omniscient knowledge of a conversation He wasn't physically present for. The invitation to touch proves Jesus's body is physical—bearing crucifixion scars eternally. These wounds are not defects but glorious trophies of accomplished redemption.

The verb "thrust" (βάλε/bale, from βάλλω/ballō) means to throw, cast, or plunge—stronger than gentle touching. Jesus invites invasive examination, meeting doubt head-on with tangible evidence. The scars in His hands (where nails pierced) and side (where the soldier's spear struck, John 19:34) permanently mark Christ's body. Even in glorification, He retains crucifixion wounds—the Lamb appears "as it had been slain" (Revelation 5:6).

And be not faithless, but believing (μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός/mē ginou apistos alla pistos)—The present imperative μὴ γίνου (mē ginou, "stop being") suggests Thomas was in danger of persistent unbelief. Ἄπιστος (apistos, faithless) means without faith, untrustworthy, unbelieving. Christ calls Thomas from unbelief (ἄπιστος) to faith (πιστός). This is gracious confrontation—Jesus doesn't reject the doubter but provides evidence while commanding faith. Doubt must be resolved through encounter with the risen Christ, not accommodation or intellectual argument alone.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Thomas's demand for empirical proof reflects Greco-Roman epistemology valuing sensory evidence. Yet even ancient skeptics recognized eyewitness testimony's value. Jesus provides exactly what Thomas required, validating reasonable investigation while ultimately calling for faith.

The permanence of Christ's wounds holds profound theological significance. In Jewish sacrificial system, the lamb was consumed—evidence of sacrifice disappeared. But Christ's eternal scars testify perpetually to His finished work. Hebrews 10:12 says He "sat down" at God's right hand—work complete. Yet Revelation 5:6 shows the Lamb "as it had been slain" standing—wounds visible eternally.

Early church fathers saw Christ's retained wounds as proof against Docetism (the heresy that Jesus only seemed to have a physical body). Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD) emphasized Christ's physical resurrection against such errors. The wounds demonstrate: (1) identity—same Jesus who was crucified; (2) physicality—real body, not phantom; (3) continuity—resurrection transforms but doesn't discard the crucified body.

For Thomas, representing honest doubters across history, this encounter became transformative. Tradition holds he later preached the gospel in India, martyred for faith in the risen Christ. The doubter became a bold witness—evidence encountered and faith exercised.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Jesus retain His crucifixion scars eternally, and what do they reveal about the nature of His redemptive work?
  2. How does Jesus's response to Thomas balance providing evidence with calling for faith—and what does this teach about apologetics?
  3. What is the difference between honest doubt that seeks resolution and obstinate unbelief that refuses evidence?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
εἶτα1 of 31

Then

G1534

a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration), then, moreover

λέγει2 of 31

saith he

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τῷ3 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θωμᾷ4 of 31

to Thomas

G2381

the twin; thomas, a christian

φέρε5 of 31

Reach

G5342

to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)

τὸν6 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δάκτυλόν7 of 31

finger

G1147

a finger

σου8 of 31

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ὧδε9 of 31

hither

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

καὶ10 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἴδε11 of 31

behold

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὰς12 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρά13 of 31

hand

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

μου14 of 31

my

G3450

of me

καὶ15 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φέρε16 of 31

Reach

G5342

to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)

τὴν17 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρά18 of 31

hand

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

σου19 of 31

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ20 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

βάλε21 of 31

thrust

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

εἰς22 of 31

it into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν23 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλευράν24 of 31

side

G4125

a rib, i.e., (by extension) side

μου25 of 31

my

G3450

of me

καὶ26 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μὴ27 of 31

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

γίνου28 of 31

be

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἄπιστος29 of 31

faithless

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

ἀλλὰ30 of 31

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

πιστός31 of 31

believing

G4103

objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 20:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 20:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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