John 20:27 - Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "John 20:27" mean?
This verse, John 20:27, is a pivotal moment in the story of Jesus' resurrection and holds significant meaning related to faith, doubt, and the nature of Jesus' resurrected body. Let's break down the meaning:
Context: This verse comes after the disciples (excluding Thomas) have seen the resurrected Jesus. They tell Thomas about it, but he stubbornly refuses to believe unless he physically sees and touches Jesus' wounds.
"Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side." Jesus is directly addressing Thomas's specific request. He is inviting Thomas to do exactly what he said he needed to do to believe. This invitation highlights:
Jesus' awareness of Thomas's doubts: Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had demanded.
Jesus' willingness to meet Thomas where he was: Instead of rebuking Thomas for his lack of faith, Jesus patiently and lovingly accommodates his need for physical proof.
The tangible reality of the resurrection: Jesus' resurrected body still bears the marks of his crucifixion. This demonstrates the continuity between the crucified Jesus and the risen Jesus. The wounds aren't just symbols; they are real and present.
"Don’t be unbelieving, but believing." This is the heart of the message. Jesus isn't just saying, "Okay, touch me and then believe." He's urging Thomas to shift his perspective:
Unbelief is a choice: Thomas chose not to believe the testimony of his fellow disciples.
Belief is also a choice: Jesus invites Thomas to make a conscious decision to believe, even before he has physically touched the wounds. The physical evidence is offered to help him overcome his doubt, but the ultimate decision rests with Thomas.
The importance of faith: Ultimately, Jesus wants Thomas to move beyond needing physical proof and to embrace faith.
Overall Meaning and Significance:
The Validity of Jesus' Resurrection: The encounter with Thomas reinforces the reality and physicality of Jesus' resurrection. It wasn't a spiritual vision or a ghost; it was Jesus in a tangible, albeit glorified, body.
The Tension Between Faith and Doubt: The story acknowledges the human struggle with doubt. It's okay to have questions and to seek reassurance. However, the goal is to move beyond dependence on physical proof and to embrace faith.
Grace and Compassion: Jesus demonstrates immense grace and compassion towards Thomas's skepticism. He doesn't dismiss him but reaches out to him, even when Thomas's demand seems unreasonable.
A Call to Faith: The verse serves as a broader call to believe in Jesus, even without seeing him physically. It's a reminder that faith is ultimately a matter of the heart and a response to the evidence and testimony presented.
Important later verse: In the verse following, John 20:29, Jesus says "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This emphasizes that while seeing can lead to belief, true blessedness comes from believing without needing physical proof.
John 20:27 - Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
What does "John 20:27" mean?
This verse, John 20:27, is a pivotal moment in the story of Jesus' resurrection and holds significant meaning related to faith, doubt, and the nature of Jesus' resurrected body. Let's break down the meaning:
Context: This verse comes after the disciples (excluding Thomas) have seen the resurrected Jesus. They tell Thomas about it, but he stubbornly refuses to believe unless he physically sees and touches Jesus' wounds.
"Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side." Jesus is directly addressing Thomas's specific request. He is inviting Thomas to do exactly what he said he needed to do to believe. This invitation highlights:
Jesus' awareness of Thomas's doubts: Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had demanded.
Jesus' willingness to meet Thomas where he was: Instead of rebuking Thomas for his lack of faith, Jesus patiently and lovingly accommodates his need for physical proof.
The tangible reality of the resurrection: Jesus' resurrected body still bears the marks of his crucifixion. This demonstrates the continuity between the crucified Jesus and the risen Jesus. The wounds aren't just symbols; they are real and present.
"Don’t be unbelieving, but believing." This is the heart of the message. Jesus isn't just saying, "Okay, touch me and then believe." He's urging Thomas to shift his perspective:
Unbelief is a choice: Thomas chose not to believe the testimony of his fellow disciples.
Belief is also a choice: Jesus invites Thomas to make a conscious decision to believe, even before he has physically touched the wounds. The physical evidence is offered to help him overcome his doubt, but the ultimate decision rests with Thomas.
The importance of faith: Ultimately, Jesus wants Thomas to move beyond needing physical proof and to embrace faith.
Overall Meaning and Significance:
The Validity of Jesus' Resurrection: The encounter with Thomas reinforces the reality and physicality of Jesus' resurrection. It wasn't a spiritual vision or a ghost; it was Jesus in a tangible, albeit glorified, body.
The Tension Between Faith and Doubt: The story acknowledges the human struggle with doubt. It's okay to have questions and to seek reassurance. However, the goal is to move beyond dependence on physical proof and to embrace faith.
Grace and Compassion: Jesus demonstrates immense grace and compassion towards Thomas's skepticism. He doesn't dismiss him but reaches out to him, even when Thomas's demand seems unreasonable.
A Call to Faith: The verse serves as a broader call to believe in Jesus, even without seeing him physically. It's a reminder that faith is ultimately a matter of the heart and a response to the evidence and testimony presented.
Important later verse: In the verse following, John 20:29, Jesus says "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This emphasizes that while seeing can lead to belief, true blessedness comes from believing without needing physical proof.