COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 183
John 20:25-29 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 believe.” (John 20:25-29).
JOHN’S ACCOUNT OF THOMAS
INTRODUCTION
Mark says that Jesus appeared “unto the eleven . . . and upbraided them with their unbelief” (Mk 16:14). Luke states that the two on the road to Emmaus testified to “the eleven and them that were with them” – and that as they spoke, Jesus appeared to them (Lk 24:33). Yet, John says that during that initial appearance, Thomas was not with them (John 20:24). That would have made only ten apostles, and those with them. The answer is either that Thomas had left the group while the two from Emmaus were testifying, or that Mark’s statement covers more than the initial appearance of Jesus – for He also addressed the matter of Thomas’ unbelief in His second appearance. It seems to me that the latter explanation is more likely. With that in mind, I have chosen to also deal with Christ’s next appearance to the group, during which He confronted Thomas. Notice that during these appearances the point was not to merely assuage the grief of the disciples, but to establish the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. They were not the center of attention, He was! While He dealt gently with them , it was not out of mere pity and kindness, both of which are resident in Jesus in Divine measures. However, it was critical that the disciples have a grounded faith and stable hope before Jesus returned to heaven. At this point, they had not believed because of their joy at the appearance of their Lord (Lk 24:?41). However notable that may appear, that kind of joy was not sufficient to carry them into the work that was before them. It was not the kind of joy that can be sustained. That kind of sustaining joy is related to faith, not to sight – that is “the joy of faith” (Phil 1:26).
THOMAS RESPONDS TO THE REPORT
“ John 20:25 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.”
We cannot pass over this text without noting the importance of assembling together in the name of the Lord. Even though that does not thoroughly describe the reason for the disciples being gathered on that first day of the week, they were together because of Jesus, their love for Him, and the fact that their lives had been wrapped up in Him. Were it not for Jesus, they would not have been together. Yet, for some reason, Thomas was not among them. This is of particular importance because of the dialog Thomas had with Jesus on the night of His betrayal. He is the one to whom Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:5-6). Yet, perhaps in grief, he had chosen to absent himself from the gathering of the disciples. Like a hot coal separated from the fire, he began to cool, for spiritual life cannot be maintained in separation from kindred spirits. Even when Paul was isolated in prison, his spirit remained joined to the children of God (1 Cor 5:4; 2 Cor 11:28; Col 2:5). It is not without cause that we are admonished not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, even though that is the custom of some (Heb 10:25).
WE HAVE SEEN THE LORD. The “other disciples” no doubt included all those who had seen the Lord, and was not limited to the other ten, although they were the heart of the group. It is of interest to note that this testimony suggests these disciples were remaining together, cemented by the singularity of their devotion to Jesus. They were quick to tell Thomas that they had “seen the Lord.” This would have been the fifth testimony to the reality of the risen Christ. First, Mary Magdalene (John 20:18). Second, the testimony of the women (Matt 28:7-9; Lk 24:9). Third, the testimony of the two on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:33-35). Fourth, the testimony of Peter and John who witnessed the empty tomb – something that should have provoked further inquiry, as it did with Mary Magdalene (Lk 24:24; John 20:15).
EXCEPT I SHALL SEE. Unbelief will not receive the testimony of another. The ten unfaithful spies brushed aside the solid testimony of Joshua and Caleb, and the whole congregation of Israel did as well (Num 13:25-14:10). Just as faith is eager to receive valid testimony, so unbelief cannot do so. That is because it anchors the individual to the seen and temporal, and those so characterized cannot see beyond personal and sensual experience.
There is something essential to be seen here. When it comes to the revelation of Christ, genuine testimony is accompanied by the Holy Spirit. This is why faith “comes by hearing” the good news of Christ – and that is what Thomas was hearing from the rest of the disciples (Rom 10:14-17). When a person hears the truth of the risen Christ, and yet remains in unbelief, it is because the heart has been hardened against the Holy Spirit. Just as surely as Jesus could do no mighty works in His own country because of their unbelief (Matt 13:58; Mk 6:5), so the Spirit cannot do His work in the one dominated by unbelief. Human rationale is not sufficient to decipher the truth of God, nor can human senses be the means of obtaining the faith that saves the soul. Faith looks at things that are “unseen,” while unbelief demands visible attestation. Thus Thomas overestimates his natural capacities.
I WILL NOT BELIEVE. There is a remarkable tenacity in unbelief. It is no wonder that the Spirit refers to “an evil heart of unbelief” (Heb 3:12). The text suggests that the disciples spoke more than once to Thomas about this matter: “the other disciples kept telling him.” AMPLIFIED The word translated “said,” or “kept telling,” is an indicative imperfect verb, meaning that is was a continual action. It is quite possible that the testimony of the disciples took place over a number of days, and during a variety of occasions. Each time their testimony was given, there was another opportunity to believe. How appropriate are the words spoken through Isaiah, “if ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established” (Isa 7:9).
God once told Habbakuk, “I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you” (Hab 1:5). That is exactly what took place when Jesus was raised from the dead. When it was told, the testimony was not believed! Now Thomas verbalizes his unbelief, causing it to grip his heart and mind even more firmly.
Unbelief causes the person to “stagger” at the promises of God (Rom 4:20). If it is not overcome, it will move God to remove the individual from the Source of life-giving sustenance (Rom 11:20). It also prohibits those dominated by it from entering into the blessings of the Lord (Heb 3:19; 4:6), causing them to “fall” (Heb 4:11). If you have ever dealt with someone into whom “an evil heart of unbelief” has entered, you know how exceedingly difficult it is to deal with such a person. Unbelief hardens the heart and stupefies the mind, so that the individual becomes incapable of receiving the most accurate and reasonable testimony. This is why Jesus was so sharp with things like “little faith” (Matt 167:8), a “faithless generation” (Matt 17:17), and doubting (Matt 14:31).
JESUS CONFRONTS THOMAS WITH HIS UNBELIEF
“John 20:26 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.”
It might be noted that all of the other disciples had also refused to believe. When they heard the testimony that Jesus was alive, “they believed not” (Mk 16:11; Lk 24:11). Thus, some reason that Thomas was no worse than the rest of them. Yet, that is not a proper way to reason, for Thomas disbelieved one more testimony. Furthermore, Jesus did not pass over the unbelief of the others, but soundly rebuked them for their unbelief (Mk 16:14; Lk 24:25).
AFTER EIGHT DAYS. This would make this appearance on the next first day of the week. Those who imagine that the first day of the week is no different than any other day must explain why Jesus chose to appear to His disciples on that day. What is more, the disciples also gathered together on that day.
Again, they were behind closed doors, perhaps in the same place where Jesus first appeared to them (John 20:19). It is probably true that certain dangers still were prevalent, just as they were when Jesus first found them sequestered “for fear of the Jews.”
THOMAS WAS WITH THEM. This time, however, Thomas was “with them.” His affinity with the disciples had not been severed – and that will be the means through which he will be recovered. As soon as men separate themselves from the disciples of Christ, they fall into more jeopardy than they will be able to handle.
PEACE BE UNTO YOU. I understand this to again be a commanded peace – like “Peace be still.” It suggests a quieting of the heart, the subduing of fear, and the calming of the mind. Peace is the proper environment for the nurturing of the soul. Thus James writes, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:18). If it is true that the wisdom that is from above is “peaceable,” then such an environment will surely accompany Him who Himself is “the wisdom of God,” and is “the Prince of peace” (1 Cor 1:24; Isa 9:6). One of the dreadful curses of division and animosity is that they remove a peaceful environment. The “harvest of righteousness” NIV will not be realized in such surroundings.
REACH HITHER. Jesus immediately addresses Thomas, challenging him to do what he said he required. Jesus not only knew Thomas had not been there the first time, He also was aware of his continued response to the testimony of his peers. He tells him to do precisely what he said he required: put his finger into the print of the nails, and thrust his hand into Christ’s side. Of course, the requirements that appear so reasonable when men are unaware of Jesus, appear very foolish when there is a keen and undeniable awareness of Him.
BE NOT FAITHLESS. As well as an admonition, ponder what a stern warning is in these words. The word “faithless” is associated with perversity: “O faithless and perverse generation . . .” (Matt 17:17). The word translated “faithless” is also translated “unbelievers” ( Lk 12:46; 1 Cor 6:6), and “believeth not” (1 Cor 7:13,14;. 10:27). It is also translated “incredible,” or outside the realm of believability (Acts 26:8). Being “faithless,” or not believing, is evidence of being blinded by “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4). Believers are not to yoke themselves with such people (2 Cor 6:14). It is said of the “unbelieving” ones that nothing is pure unto them, “but even their mind and conscience is defiled”(Tit 1:15). Those who remain in this state will eventually “have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev 21:8). It is no wonder that the Lord says, “Be not faithless!”
MY LORD AND MY GOD. Apparently Thomas did not do what he said he demanded. The powerful words of the Lord bound up that bruised reed, and fanned the smoking flax into a flickering flame. His words were a confession that He believed. This began the fulfillment of a word Jesus spoke to Thomas when he observed the Passover with them: “If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen Him” (John 14:7). Thomas’ faith had not altogether departed. Now he takes hold of something that could not be confirmed by putting his finger in the print of the nails or thrusting his hand into the Lord’s side. Though brief, this was a thorough confession. To my knowledge, during the ministry of Jesus, the only other person who referred to Jesus as “my Lord” was Mary Magdalene, who responded to an angel who inquired why she was at the tomb (John 20:13). Jesus had told Mary Magdalene to tell His disciples He was going to ascend to His God, and to their God (John 20:17) – but no one of record ever referred to Him as “God” while He walked among men, and certainly not as “My God.” However, in a burst of sudden insight, inspired by the presence of the Lord Jesus, Thomas saw it and confessed it. What is more, the truth of what he confessed is attested by our Lord’s reception of his words. He did not rebuke him or ask, “Why callest thou me Lord and God” – something like He had asked a certain ruler who had called Him “good” (Lk 18:18-19).
THE BLESSING OF NOT SEEING, YET BELIEVING
“ John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Jesus now speaks in anticipation of the time of the administration of the New Covenant, when believing would be based purely upon the hearing of testimony. Following the resurrection of Jesus, and until this time, we have no clear record of someone believing on Jesus independently of sight. Yet, Jesus speaks of such an activity now as though it existed. However, He was speaking of things that were not, just as though they were – a prerogative that is peculiar to Deity (Rom 4:17). There are those who speak of a “positive confession,” calling upon people to confess what does not exist, then telling them they are, in faith, calling “those things which be not as though they were.” This, they say, is because faith has creative power. But this is only the outbreak of carnality, for no such doctrine was ever dispensed by the apostles. Only God can declare things as reality without the slightest chance of them failing to come into being.
BECAUSE THOU HAST SEEN ME. This is not the first example of someone seeing, and then believing. During His ministry, this was true of certain from the city of Samaria (John 4:42). This was also true of His disciples when Jesus showed forth His glory, turning water into wine (John 2:11). During His ministry, this was also said of those who saw His great works (John 7:31; 8:30; 10:42; 11:45). This was true of Mary Magdalene (John 20:16), the women who came to the tomb (Matt 28:9), and the two on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:30-31). But this was not the robust faith that comes by hearing. It was a kind introductory faith that could keep them until the faith that brings justification could be received.
I do understand that “the Lord’s hand is not shortened,” and that He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Isa 59:1; Eph 3:20). However, in the New Covenant this is not the avenue through which faith comes, but is rather the means through which faith works – and there is a vast difference between the two. This is the power that is “Toward us who believe” NKJV (Eph 1:19). Those who say they will be convinced by evidence addressed to the senses have taken their side by Thomas as he was prior to this text. As such, they also are subject to the correction of the Lord.
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HAVE NOT SEEN. Notice, Jesus does not say to Thomas “Blessed art thou!” It is quite true that during Christ’s ministry He said to those who saw and heard Him, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matt 13:16). However, this pertained to the fulfilment of the prophets concerning the Messiah coming into the world. The generation that saw the Lord’s Christ was, indeed, blessed. However, that generation did not partake of the benefits that were poured out upon men when Jesus was enthroned in glory. None of the covenantal benefits were enjoyed prior to that time. Furthermore, to the point of our text, everyone who believed on Jesus had done so because they had seen Him: Mary, the women, the two on the road, and the eleven and those with them.
However, Jesus now speaks of the marvelous things that will happen after He has ascended “up where He was before” (John 6:62). In other words, so far as working with men is concerned, Jesus is doing more in heaven than He did when He was upon the earth. His earthly ministry was an introduction to His Person and power, but “better things” were yet to come (Heb 6:9; 11:40; 12:24). The times following His glory would be characterized by a robust and unrelenting faith that would be given without any sensible evidence. That faith would also be accompanied by a strong confidence and consistent hope – never before realized in the measure now vouchsafed to men.
In a sense, those disciples were much like Israel, going through what was required to get the tree rooted. Sorrow
gripping their hearts when Jesus died, grappling with unbelief, and confronting circumstances that were beyond their
comprehension, were difficult. Yet, they were necessary in order to provide them with a comparison that would validate the
absolute superiority of a justifying faith. During His earthly ministry, Jesus cultured these initial souls, finally turning them over
the Father to keep them until He returned to administer the affairs of the Kingdom. Everyone is not required to go through this
kind of orientation. Now, upon hearing the Gospel of Christ, faith can spring up that will justify and keep the soul – during the
bodily absence of Jesus. However, these preparations required the involvement of a people whom Jesus could teach and direct
– a people who would taste the bitter dregs of sorrow, and wrestle with unbelief in unparalleled measures. Of course, they were
also a comfort to Jesus as He entered into His sufferings. On the night of His betrayal Jesus said to His apostles, “Ye are they
which have continued with Me in My temptations” (Luke 22:28). Ah, but that privilege was a costly one, for He also told them,
“sorrow hath filled your heart . . . ye shall weep and lament . . . ye now therefore have sorrow” (John 16:6,20,22). But all of that was
a kind of travail of soul