John 20:28
What does John 20:28 mean?
A plain-English look at John 20:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 20:28 means
Confronted with the overwhelming evidence and Jesus' direct invitation, Thomas responded with a profound declaration of faith: "My Lord and my God." This is the clearest and most explicit affirmation of Jesus' divinity in John's Gospel, recognizing Him not merely as a resurrected man but as the very God. His initial doubt transformed into a powerful confession, demonstrating that genuine encounters with the risen Christ lead to worship and full acknowledgment of His divine identity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Thomas said in answer, My Lord and my God!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Thomas answered and said to him, `My Lord and my God;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and myGod.
Context
This verse records Thomas's powerful confession, which is the immediate response to Jesus' challenge in verse 27. It represents the climax of Thomas's journey from doubt to unwavering faith, serving as a theological high point in the Gospel. This declaration directly leads to Jesus' teaching on the nature of faith for future believers.
v.27Then 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.
v.28This passage
v.29Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Luke 24:52
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
- Psalms 102:24
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations.
- John 5:23
that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.
- John 20:16
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher.
- Revelation 5:9
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
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