Meaning of John 20:28

Thomas's exclamation, "My Lord and my God!" is the climactic confession of faith in the Gospel of John, uttered in direct response to the resurrected Jesus presenting himself to Thomas, who had previously doubted. This declaration is not merely an acknowledgment of Jesus's physical presence after death, but a profound recognition of his divine nature. It signifies the culmination of Jesus's earthly ministry, demonstrating that the disciples, through direct encounter with the risen Christ, finally grasped his true identity as both Lord (a title of authority and sovereignty) and God (acknowledging his divine essence). This moment solidifies the theological foundation of Christianity, affirming Jesus's divinity and the reality of his resurrection, which underpins the entire Christian faith.

Context and Background

This pivotal moment occurs in John 20:24-29, following the resurrection of Jesus. The other disciples had already seen the risen Lord, but Thomas was absent. Upon hearing their testimony of seeing Jesus, Thomas expressed his skepticism, stating he would not believe unless he could see the wounds from the crucifixion and touch them. This initial doubt underscores the extraordinary nature of the resurrection and the human struggle to comprehend such an event. Jesus, eight days later, reappears to the assembled disciples, specifically addressing Thomas's doubt by inviting him to touch his wounds, thereby providing the very evidence Thomas required.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Reality of the Resurrection: Thomas's confession is a powerful witness to the physical reality of Jesus's resurrection. The fact that Jesus reappears in a tangible form, bearing the marks of his crucifixion, leaves no room for doubt about his victory over death.
• The Divinity of Jesus: The phrase "My Lord and my God!" is the most explicit declaration of Jesus's divinity in the Gospel of John. Thomas doesn't just see a resurrected man; he sees and acknowledges God incarnate. This affirms Jesus's claim to be "one with the Father" (John 10:30).
• Faith Born from Encounter: While some disciples believed "without seeing" (John 20:29), Thomas's journey represents the faith that is forged through direct, undeniable experience. His initial doubt makes his eventual confession all the more potent.
• The Completeness of Christ's Identity: The dual declaration addresses both Jesus's role as sovereign ruler ("Lord") and his essential nature as divine ("God"). This encapsulates the full theological understanding of Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Thomas's confession serves as a model for believers who grapple with doubt. It demonstrates that encountering the risen Christ, even through the testimony of others and the evidence of Scripture, can lead to profound faith. For Christians, this verse is a cornerstone of worship, affirming who they believe Jesus to be. It calls believers to move beyond intellectual assent to a personal and relational acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and God in their lives, impacting their decisions, priorities, and ultimate devotion. It encourages perseverance through periods of doubt, trusting that a deeper understanding and encounter with the divine is possible.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This declaration is the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, who would be both human and divine. It connects to passages like Isaiah 9:6, which foretells a child born who would be called "Mighty God, Everlasting Father." The Gospel of John itself begins by declaring, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:1, 14). Thomas's words echo this prologue, confirming the incarnational theology presented throughout the Gospel. Furthermore, it anticipates the future worship of God and the Lamb described in the Book of Revelation.

Analogies

Imagine an astronomer who has spent years studying distant galaxies through telescopes, poring over data, and reading theories. They might intellectually "believe" in the existence of a particular celestial body. However, the moment that body is directly observed through a powerful, new instrument, and its undeniable characteristics are revealed, the astronomer doesn't just believe in its existence; they exclaim, "It's real! It's magnificent!" Similarly, Thomas, after intellectual wrestling with the reports of Jesus's resurrection, has his understanding transformed by direct, irrefutable experience, leading to a profound, personal acknowledgment. Another analogy is a detective who has pieced together evidence and suspects a culprit. When the suspect is finally apprehended and confesses, the detective's intellectual pursuit crystallizes into a definitive statement of truth and justice.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 1:1, 14: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us..." This foundational passage establishes Jesus's divinity before his earthly ministry, which Thomas's confession later confirms.
• John 10:30: "I and the Father are one." Jesus's earlier statement about his unity with the Father finds its ultimate affirmation in Thomas's declaration of Jesus as "God."
• John 20:29: Jesus's response to Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," highlights two paths to faith: the experiential (Thomas) and the faithful trust in testimony and divine revelation.
• Philippians 2:10-11: "...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Thomas's confession anticipates this future universal acknowledgment of Jesus's lordship and divinity.
• 1 Timothy 3:16: "And, by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." This verse summarizes the core tenets of Christian faith, including the incarnation, which Thomas's confession powerfully attests to.