John 20:27
What does John 20:27 mean?
A plain-English look at John 20:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 20:27 means
Jesus directly addressed Thomas's exact demands for proof, inviting him, "Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." Christ's willingness to accommodate Thomas's skepticism demonstrates His patient grace and desire for His followers' complete conviction. This direct challenge to Thomas's doubt offered undeniable, physical evidence, leaving no room for disbelief and demanding a response of faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he said to Thomas, Put out your finger, and see my hands; and put your hand here into my side: and be no longer in doubt but have belief.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862then he saith to Thomas, `Bring thy finger hither, and see my hands, and bring thy hand, and put <FI>it<Fi> to my side, and become not unbelieving, but believing.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then he said to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither and see my hands. And bring hither the hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here and see my hands; and bring thy hand and put it into my side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.
Context
This verse is the pivotal moment of Jesus' encounter with Thomas, directly addressing the conditions Thomas set for belief in verse 25. Jesus' specific invitation to touch His wounds directly confronts Thomas's doubt, moving the narrative towards his declaration of faith. This personal interaction underscores Jesus' attentiveness to individual needs for belief.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 9:19
And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me.
- Luke 24:40
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
- Matthew 17:17
And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him hither to me.
- 1 Timothy 1:14
and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 5:20
And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
- 1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life
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