Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Thomas's declaration, "My Lord and my God!", isn't just an exclamation of surprise but a profound confession that Jesus is divine, a truth the Gospel writer John deliberately places here to culminate his message. Jesus's acceptance of this, without correction, validates Thomas's belief that his risen Lord is indeed God.
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples, though Thomas wasn't present the first time and expressed his doubt that he'd believe unless he could physically examine the wounds. Now, Jesus specifically appears to Thomas, inviting him to do just that, but Thomas is so overcome by seeing the risen Lord that he confesses Jesus as "My Lord and my God," skipping the physical examination he'd demanded. This moment marks the climax of the Gospel, solidifying the disciples' faith in Jesus' divinity.
Thomas, known for his skepticism, utters one of the most profound confessions in all of Scripture. What caused this dramatic shift from disbelief to utter devotion?
Thomas's journey is a powerful reminder that God meets us where we are, even in our deepest doubts. When Jesus appeared to the disciples, Thomas wasn't with them. Later, when he finally saw Jesus, his response wasn't hesitant questioning, but a bold declaration: "My Lord and my God!"
This wasn't just a casual remark; it was a complete turnaround. The commentaries highlight that Thomas likely didn't even perform the physical examination he had demanded earlier. His faith was sparked not by empirical proof, but by the overwhelming presence and reality of the resurrected Christ. This transformation shows that even a spirit prone to doubt can be gripped by the undeniable truth of God's presence.
In the heat of the moment, Thomas calls Jesus 'My Lord and My God.' What does this title truly signify, and how did Jesus respond?
Thomas's confession, "My Lord and my God!" is not just an acknowledgment of Jesus' authority, but a direct affirmation of His divinity. The commentaries are clear: this was addressed to Jesus, not an exclamation about God the Father.
Jesus doesn't correct Thomas; He accepts it. This divine acceptance is crucial. If Jesus were merely a prophet or a man, allowing such a confession would be dishonest, even blasphemous. But Jesus' silence and subsequent commendation ('because you have seen me, you have believed') affirm that this title, 'God,' is rightfully His. This moment serves as a climactic declaration of Jesus' divine nature within John's Gospel.
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Understand the original words
kyrios / theos · Greek Noun
A confession of authority, sovereign rule, and divine nature, recognizing Jesus as both master and the one true God, highlighting His deity.
Thomas's exclamation, "My Lord and my God!", directly follows Jesus' invitation to touch His wounds. This wasn't just an expression of relief; it was a profound theological confession. The early church fathers and commentators emphasize that Jesus accepted this declaration, affirming His divine nature and the validity of believing in Him as God, even without direct physical examination.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus Christ is crucified, dies, and is buried in a tomb, leading to despair among his followers.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Resurrection
According to the Gospels, Jesus is resurrected from the dead on the third day, appearing to various disciples.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Appears to Disciples (Minus Thomas)
Jesus appears to his disciples, but Thomas is absent and skeptical about their report of seeing the risen Lord.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Appears to Thomas
Jesus reappears to the disciples, specifically addressing Thomas's doubt by inviting him to examine His wounds.
c. 30 AD
Thomas's Confession
Thomas, seeing the risen Jesus, exclaims "My Lord and my God!", a profound confession of Christ's divinity and resurrection.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Commends Faith Without Sight
Jesus blesses those who believe without having physically seen Him, a principle that would guide the early church.
This verse directly parallels Thomas' confession, as John begins his Gospel by declaring 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,' establishing Jesus' divine identity long before Thomas' personal encounter.
Isaiah 44:6The Old Testament strongly emphasizes that only God should be called Lord and God, making Thomas' direct address to Jesus as 'My Lord and my God' a profound declaration of Jesus' divinity, which God Himself does not rebuke.
Acts 14:15When the people of Lystra tried to worship Paul and Barnabas, they emphatically stated they were mere humans, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Jesus accepting Thomas' worship and divine title without correction.
John 20:29Jesus' response, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed,' directly follows Thomas' confession and affirms the link between seeing the resurrected Lord and believing in His divine nature, validating Thomas' powerful statement.
1 Peter 1:8This verse speaks of loving Jesus whom you have not seen but believe in, creating a beautiful contrast with Thomas' experience; while he needed to see to believe, his confession points to the ultimate blessedness for those who believe without such direct physical proof.
cambridgeJohn 20:28: "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God."
28 . And Thomas answered ] Omit ‘and.’ This answer and Christ’s comment, ‘because thou hast seen ,’ seem to shew that S. Thomas did not use the test which he had demanded. In accordance with his desponding temperament he had underrated the possibilities of being convinced. My Lord and my God ] Most unnatural is the Unitarian view, that these words are an expression of astonishment addressed to God . Against this are (1) th…
clarkeJohn 20:28: "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God."
Thomas answered, etc. - Those who deny the Godhead of Christ would have us to believe that these words are an exclamation of Thomas, made through surprise, and that they were addressed to the Father and not to Christ. Theodore of Mopsuestia was the first, I believe, who gave the words this turn; and the fifth Ecumenic council, held at Constantinople, anathematized him for it. This was not according to the spirit of the Gos…
Thomas's declaration, "My Lord and my God!", isn't just an exclamation of surprise but a profound confession that Jesus is divine, a truth the Gospel writer John deliberately places here to culminate his message. Jesus's acceptance of this, without correction, validates Thomas's belief that his risen Lord is indeed God.
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples, though Thomas wasn't present the first time and expressed his doubt that he'd believe unless he could physically examine the wounds. Now, Jesus specifically appears to Thomas, inviting him to do just that, but Thomas is so overcome by seeing the risen Lord that he confesses Jesus as "My Lord and my God," skipping the physical examination he'd demanded. This moment marks the climax of the Gospel, solidifying the disciples' faith in Jesus' divinity.
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples, though Thomas wasn't present the first time and expressed his doubt that he'd believe unless he could physically examine the wounds. Now, Jesus specifically appears to Thomas, inviting him to do just that, but Thomas is so overcome by seeing the risen Lord that he confesses Jesus as "My Lord and my God," skipping the physical examination he'd demanded. This moment marks the climax of the Gospel, solidifying the disciples' faith in Jesus' divinity.
"Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”" — Thomas's declaration, "My Lord and my God!", isn't just an exclamation of surprise but a profound confession that Jesus is divine, a truth the Gospel writer John deliberately places here to culminate…
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Last reviewed October 2026