John 20:25
What does John 20:25 mean?
A plain-English look at John 20:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 20:25 means
When the other disciples joyfully recounted their experience of seeing the risen Lord to Thomas, he adamantly declared his refusal to believe without tangible, personal proof. He demanded to see the nail marks in Jesus' hands and to physically place his finger into them, and his hand into Jesus' pierced side. This uncompromising demand for empirical evidence underscores his profound skepticism, which Jesus will address directly, offering a powerful lesson on faith and sight.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The 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 put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The 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 put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, If I do not see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and if I do not put my hand into his side, I will never have belief.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the other disciples, therefore, said to him, `We have seen the Lord;' and he said to them, `If I may not see in his hands the mark of the nails, and may put my finger to the mark of the nails, and may put my hand to his side, I will not believe.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Context
This verse directly follows Thomas's absence during Jesus' first appearance to the other disciples. His emphatic statement of doubt creates a clear challenge to the resurrection accounts. This declaration establishes the central conflict of the next section, setting the stage for Jesus' specific interaction with him in eight days' time.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 78:32
For all this they sinned still, And believed not in his wondrous works.
- John 20:14
When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
- Hebrews 10:38
But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.
- Matthew 27:42
He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him.
- John 1:41
He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
- Mark 16:11
And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved.
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