John 20:26-29
After eight days ( μεθ' ημερας οκτω ). That is the next Sunday evening, on the eighth day in reality just like "after three days" and "on the third day."Within ( εσω ). Apparently in the same room as before.
Cometh ( ερχετα ). Vivid dramatic present. The other items precisely as in verse 19 save Thomas was with them.
Then saith he to Thomas ( ειτα λεγε τω Θομα ). Jesus turns directly to Thomas as if he had come expressly for his sake. He reveals his knowledge of the doubt in the mind of Thomas and mentions the very tests that he had named (25).
Be not faithless ( μη γινου απιστος ). Present middle imperative of γινομα in prohibition, "stop becoming disbelieving." The doubt of Thomas in the face of the witness of the others was not a proof of his superior intelligence. Sceptics usually pose as persons of unusual mentality. The medium who won Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to spiritualism has confessed that it was all humbug, but he deceived the gullible novelist. But Thomas had carried his incredulity too far. Note play on απιστος (disbelieving) and πιστος (believing).
My Lord and my God ( Hο κυριος μου κα ο θεος μου ). Not exclamation, but address, the vocative case though the form of the nominative, a very common thing in the Koine. Thomas was wholly convinced and did not hesitate to address the Risen Christ as Lord and God. And Jesus accepts the words and praises Thomas for so doing.
Thou hast believed ( πεπιστευκας ). Perfect active indicative. Probably interrogative, but "it was sight, not touch that convinced Thomas" (Bernard).
And yet ( κα ). Clear use of κα in the adversative sense. Thomas made a noble confession, but he missed the highest form of faith without the evidence of the senses. Peter (1Pe 1:8) uses language that seems like a reminiscence of the words of Jesus to Thomas which Peter heard.
Copyright information for
RWP