In the sixteenth century, Justus Lipsius claimed he was sawed in half. Tradition tells us that James the Just was pushed from the pinnacle of a temple he was preaching at, and then beaten with a fullers club and stoned to death. The chief priests then used the money to buy a field, which Matthew connects to prophecies from Zechariah and Jeremiah: The chief priests picked up the coins and said, It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money. So they decided to use the money to buy the potters field as a burial place for foreigners. Its easy to signup for your ministries online. Gospel account The King James Version text (John 20:2429) is: 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. Thomas was honest with Jesus and the disciples. Didymos is Greek for twin. The Book of Acts and the Gospel of Matthew each record a version of Judas death. The second coming is when Jesus returns to judge all mankind - the living and the dead. St. Theoderus saith that he was flayed, and it is read in many books that he was beheaded only. At the end of the Gospel of John, Jesus predicts Peters death when he tells him, when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go (John 21:18). His faith was based solely on what he could touch and see for himself. He died in Alban, a city of great Armenia, crucified the head downward. Nevertheless, thanks to the fourth Gospel his personality is clearer to us than some of the other Twelve. Eastern tradition claims he died of old age in Edessa. The living includes all who will be alive when he returns. For the blessed Dorotheus saith that he was crucified, and saith also: Bartholomew preached to men of India, and delivered to them the gospel after Matthew in their proper tongue. I think its unfortunate that Thomas has the label Doubting Thomas because he was never called that in the Bible. Apostle Thomas - OrthodoxWiki First, when Jesus announced His intention of returning to Judea to visit Lazarus, "Thomas", who is called Didymus [the twin], said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John, xi, 16). In the Synoptic Gospels Matthew, Mark, and LukeThomas is mentioned . The problem with constructing biographies of Jesus' disciples is the lack of historical sources about them and most of the New Testament narrative. Thomas the apostle was one of Jesus Christ's original twelve disciples, specially chosen to spread the gospel after the Lord's crucifixion and resurrection. Peter was crucified, but with a twist: they hung his cross upside down. But while earlier records are often assumed to be more reliable (because theyre closer to when the events actually happened), most scholars dont accept Heracleons account today. The Surprisingly Early History of Christianity in India Thomas, Loyal Follower Ultimately, St. Thomas remains were transported to Ortona, Italy, where they reside today. And, his wonderful profession, My Lord and my God, is the clearest declaration of Jesus divinity in Holy Scripture. 11 chapters | He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. Some believe he was killed with a spear on accident while others believe he was martyred for his beliefs. Or crucified upside down. What we do know is that he died sometime in the first century, possibly around 80 AD. When the women came back from the empty tomb and after seeing the risen Christ, the disciples also doubted. Church tradition and history tells us that Thomas traveled outside of the Roman Empire as a missionary, possibly as far away as India to preach the gospel, which is yet another indication of Thomas boldness. The only apostle whose death the Bible records is James (Acts 12:2). Clement of Alexandria was born a little over 100 years after James died, but its very possible that he had access to accounts and records that didnt survive. How to Hope in God When it Seems Hopeless. Thomas' name in Aramaic and his Greek name, Didymus, mean ''twin.'' Thomas the Apostle - Wikipedia Believers know of the great joy that you possess, and of the multitude of gifts you have prepared. Thomas is commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" because he initially doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ when he was told of it (as is related in the Gospel of John ); he later confessed his faith ("My lord and my God") on seeing the wounds left over from the crucifixion . It was only after Jesus appeared to them that they finally believed. Rather than being upset with him, Jesus let Thomas put his finger through the holes. It is worth noting that Jesus did not scold Thomas for his doubt. He was crucified in Achaia at Patras in the year 61. Thaddaeus: Thaddaeus: Thaddaeus was martyred in Persia. This is the same death tradition ascribes to James, brother of Jesus, but scholars have little reason to trust On the Twelve Apostles of Christ. This site uses cookies to analyze traffic and ensure you get the best experience. The only written sources that exist about Thomas are religious texts, both New Testament and extra-biblical texts. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. He's also called Didymus Thomas (which is like saying "twin" twice in both Greek and Aramaic). When he emerged unharmed, the entire coliseum converted to Christianity. To me, there is no doubt that Thomas was a strong believer and a powerful missionary used by God to the glory of God. Although little is certain about his life, Christian tradition holds that St. Thomas was the first missionary to India. Often asked: How Did Apostle Thomas Die? Question: What If Guts Became An Apostle? Biography: St. Thomas the Apostle In the Bible, fourteen people are considered apostlesthe original members of the Twelve, plus Matthias (who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot), and Paul (the apostle to the Gentiles). Disciples, He is recognized as the founder of the Church of the Syrian Malabar Christians, or Thomas Christians. Because of its discovery with the Nag Hammadi library, it was widely thought that the document originated within a school of early Christians, possibly proto-Gnostics. What does Scripture say about the Apostle Thomas? In the fourth century, Eusebius of Caesarea quoted Clement of Alexandria about James death: It appears that the guard who brought him into court was so moved when he saw him testify that he confessed that he, too, was a Christian. In fact, there exists a population of Christians along the Malabar Coast, on the western coast of India, who lay claim to conversion by St. Thomas. Catholic tradition says that Thomas witnessed the miraculous ascension into heaven of Saint Mary (the Virgin Mary) after her death. ) Acts 1:1819. Because of this, Thomas is often just referred to as ''the twin'' in the New Testament. Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff Shortly after, his followers said he had been resurrected, and they began preaching, There are several conflicting accounts about, The apostles were some of the most important leaders in the movement which became Christianity. And you know the way where I am going., Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?, With the keenness typical of the Twelve, Thomas misunderstands Jesus reference to His death and resurrection. God provides the Bible, with eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life, crucifixion, and resurrection to strengthen our faith. Before the Lord mounted you, you inspired an earthly fear. Thomas seemed the bravest of them all by saying Let us also go, that we may die with him (John11:16) so we should give Thomas some credit as he was apparently ready to die for the Lord, unlike the other disciples at that time. Meet Nathanael in the Bible, the 'True Israelite', Meet Thaddeus: The Apostle With Many Names, James the Less: The Obscure Apostle of Christ, Meet Mary Magdalene: Loyal Follower of Jesus, Peter the Apostle - Member of Jesus' Inner Circle, Philip the Apostle - Follower of Jesus Christ, Relive the Resurrection Story of Jesus Christ, Meet the Apostle John: 'The Disciple Jesus Loved', Judas Iscariot - Betrayer of Jesus Christ, Meet Matthew the Apostle, Ex-Tax Collector, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. Polycrates of Ephesus wrote in a letter to Pope Victor, I speak of Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who is laid to rest at Hierapolis. Click Here to Browse the Various Ministries and click to register! Something went wrong. Like his brother, Peter, Andrew didnt consider himself worthy to die in the same way as Jesus, and so he was boundnot nailedto a cross which was hung in an X shape instead of a T. For this reason, an X-shaped cross is sometimes referred to as Saint Andrews Cross. The living includes all who will be alive when he returns. Both names mean "twin," although we aren't given the name of Thomas' twin in Scripture. https://www.learnreligions.com/apostle-known-as-doubting-thomas-701057 (accessed July 1, 2023). When Lazarus had died Jesus said Let us go to Judea again (John 11:7b) but The disciples said to him, Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? Lastly, and more famously, St. Thomas is remembered for being absent from the Upper Room the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after His Resurrection. And the king bare the bodies of the apostles into his city, and did do make a church of marvellous greatness in the honour of them.. All rights reserved. Where did Thomas go when Jesus appeared to the disciples? Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Sometimes it can be difficult to trace traditions back to their original sources. And this contrariety may be assoiled in this manner, that some say that he was crucified and was taken down ere he died, and for to have greater torment he was flayed and at the last beheaded.. In John Foxes famous Book of Martyrs (which rounded up the most popular traditions known in the sixteenth century), the entry for Matthew states: The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Thomas the Apostle Previous post: What Does The Bible Say About Education? According to tradition, Thomas was martyred, or killed for his beliefs, in India after the local religious authorities were upset with Thomas' teachings and decapitated him. He also relentlessly sought the Truth. Saint Andrew preached the Faith in Asia Minor (Turkey) and in Scythia, east of Turkey (north of Iran). What happened to Thomas after this event is unclear, as many of our stories of the apostles are. An early ecclesiastical calendar entry reads: 3 July, St. Thomas who was pierced with a lance in India.. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Take a look at another Apostle biography here: John the Apostle. ", Thomas later asked Jesus a famous question when the disciples were eating the Last Supper with him. I think we are too hard on Thomas because Thomas was ready to go up to Jerusalem and die with Christ (John11:16) while the others tried to talk Jesus out of going back to Judea (John 11:8). He was absent when the Risen Lord appeared to the other apostles on the evening of Easter Day, and refused to believe that Christ had indeed risen until he had seen him for himself, but when he had seen Him, he said to Him, "My Lord and My God." Thomas name occurs in Matthew (10:3), Mark (3:18), Luke (6) and Acts of the Apostles (1:13), but in the Gospel of John he plays a particularly distinctive part. Christ then appeared to a merchant and sold Thomas to him as a slave for his master, a king who ruled over part of India. Bible References: In the synoptic Gospels (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15) Thomas appears only in the . After Jesus ascended into heaven, Thomas and the other disciples each traveled to various parts of the world to share the Gospel message with people. Who Was Doubting Thomas? The Beginner's Guide - OverviewBible When he encountered Jesus after he was crucified and resurrected, he asked for physical proof of Jesus' resurrection, putting his fingers through the holes in Jesus' hands/wrists and earning himself the title of ''doubting Thomas.'' The Apostle Thomas Biography, Doubting, Life and Death Who was Thomas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org (John 20:29). Their tradition holds that he built seven churches, was martyred during prayer by a spearing on the Big Hill near Madras, and was buried in Mylapore, on the east coast of India. Martyrdom of St. Thomas, by Peter Paul Rubens, dating to about 1636. Credit: Ophelia2, Wikimedia Commons. (2023, April 5). 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. All of his disciples saw Jesus' scars and recognized he was, in fact, the same man they had followed - just risen from the dead. Moses: The Old Testaments Greatest Prophet. This is why some iconography shows John in a vat of boiling oil. According to the Acta Thomae, the apostles divided up the world for their missionary labors, and India fell to Thomas. Of whom are Matthew, Philip, Thomas, Levi, and many others. Stromata. Traditionally, each apostle has been portrayed in art holding or wearing an icon associated with their death (Bartholomews is pretty creepy by the way). Who was Saint Thomas the Apostle? Saint Thomas - The Holy Apostles How did Jesus call Thomas? Stay in contact with St. Thomas by e-mail! We learn from the gospel that his name means ''twin''. Scripture does not give us the name of Thomas's twin. Because of Thomas, we have these inspiring words of Jesus: "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-was-saint-thomas-the-apostle-124543 (accessed July 1, 2023). When we first meet Thomas in the Gospel of John, he plays a minor role and all we are told about him is that his name means ''twin''. Thomas: Thomas, or "twin" in Aramaic, is called "doubting Thomas " because he doubted Jesus's resurrection until he could touch Jesus's wounds himself (John 20:24-29). Later, in John 14:1-5 it was St. Thomas who raised an objection prior to the Last Supper: Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. #1. But there are other records of his death, too. Jesus innocently answered: "Come and see". (The other one is Judas Iscariot.) Saint Thomas, as an apostle, was tasked with disseminating Jesus' teachings throughout . The Apostle Thomas, also known as the infamous "Doubting Thomas," has a fairly straightforward tradition surrounding his death. Use the links below to skip ahead: Lets begin with a quick look at all the ways the apostles may have died according to Scripture, tradition, and legend. 72 CE: Thomas the Apostle Is Murdered in India. There, he was martyred by decapitation. We discover from the story of Thomas that he was sincerely pledged to His master, and yet he fought with uncertainties and questions. Meet Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ. What Does Epistle Mean? Did they have fear about going back to Bethany too? Hopler, Whitney. Hippolytus, a theologian who lived in the second and third centuries, allegedly recorded James death in On the Twelve Apostles of Christ: And James the son of Alphaeus, when preaching in Jerusalem was stoned to death by the Jews, and was buried there beside the temple.. Wait There Were How Many Herods?! 7 Beautiful Ways We Can Reflect on God During a Commute, Surround Yourself with the Right Team to Weather Lifes Storms. Discover more Bible verses about the Apostle Thomas in this collection of scripture quotes. The Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark report the call of the first disciples by the Sea of Galilee: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. Thomas: Thomas, or twin in Aramaic, is called doubting Thomas because he doubted Jesuss resurrection until he could touch Jesuss wounds himself (John 20:2429). Thomas question provides Jesus an opportunity to teach one of the most profound and difficult truths of His ministry. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.". If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world, Let us also go, that we may die with him, Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. He did his graduate work at Moody Theological Seminary. When Mary died, John allegedly went to Ephesus, where he wrote his three epistles. Foxes Book of Martyrs claims that in India, He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. James was the first of the apostles who drank the cup Jesus drank (Mark 10:39). 1st century (birth year unknown - died in 72 AD), in Galilee when it was part of the ancient Roman Empire (now part of Israel), Syria, ancient Persia, and India. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. What Does Epistle Mean? Is There a Sin That Leads to Death? Matthews account is the only one that tells us Judas felt remorse, and he directly connects that remorse to Judas suicide. How Did St Thomas The Apostle Die? When Jesus' life was at risk by returning to Judea after Lazarus had died, the Apostle Thomas courageously told his fellow disciples they should go with Jesus, no matter what the danger (John 11:16). Jesus appeared to all of his disciples at the same time after his resurrection, showing them the holes on his wrists to prove he was raised from the dead. - Quora. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. That is a label that we have put on him and I do think its a bit unfair to him. The name dates back to the period of Portuguese colonisation. Sometime around 33 AD, Jesus Christ was crucified for claiming to be the son of God. In addition, his name is mentioned in the lists of the disciples in: Thomas was one of Jesus' 12 disciples and was from Galilee, a Roman province surrounding the Sea of Galilee. Tagged as: by Ryan Nelson | Dec 17, 2019 | Bible characters. One thing that I admire about Thomas is that he asked questions when others might have just been wondering about things but were hesitant to ask. Miraculously, the idol shattered into pieces when Thomas was forced to approach it. Is there a particular apostle you want to learn about? It was only after Jesus appeared to them that they finally believed. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. And they appear to have different reasons for why the field was called the Field of Blood. Thomas the Apostle: Nicknamed 'Doubting Thomas' Thomas got a bum rap. Thomas shared the Gospel with people in Syria, ancient Persia, and India. Thomas cannot understand what Jesus is saying and replies, ''Lord, we do not know where you are going. Instructor Tommi Waters View bio Learn about the Apostle Thomas, see Thomas the Apostle facts, and learn about his time as a disciple of Jesus. Read them in the archive below. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potters field, as the Lord commanded me. Matthew 27:610. Question: Who Was The Oldest Lds Apostle At The Time Of His Call? What happened to the disciples after Jesus died? To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Thomas is known in popular culture as "Doubting Thomas" because of the famous Bible story in which he demands to see physical proof of Jesus resurrection before believing it, and Jesus appears, inviting Thomas to touch the scars of his wounds from the crucifixion. Saint Thomas - Facts, Apostles & Life - Biography And it certainly wasnt from old age. Your email address will not be published. The St. Thomas church of Mylapore is an imposing structure standing on the shore of the Mylapore beach and being one of the most famous churches in Chennai is a major tourist attraction. He told them to free Bartholomew, but not to take him down. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. on 05/15/2019, 7 Short but Mighty Lessons from the Book of James, When it Comes to Miracles, God Does it His Way. Thomas biography, Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author and pastor of Heritage Evangelical Free Church in Udall, KS [https://modelchrist.org/] & also a Prison Minister. Feast Days The 1st Sunday after Easter, October 6th, June 30th, July 3rd, and December 21st. In the Gospel of John, Thomas is one of the main characters in two important stories. Propelled out on mission by this persecution. The Bible records in John chapter 20 that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to some of his disciples while they were together, but Thomas wasn't with the group at the time. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/apostle-known-as-doubting-thomas-701057. Thomas was also present with the other disciples at the Sea of Galilee when Jesus appeared to them again. What happened to Thomas after this is unclear, though many traditions claim he was martyred in India where he had taught the gospel. Required fields are marked *. The Acts of Thomas says he was martyred in Mylapore, India, where he was stabbed with spears. After getting the physical proof he'd wanted of the resurrection miracle, Thomas's doubt turned to strong belief: Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'" After Christ's execution, Jude Thomas the Apostle sent Addai, one of the 70 or 72 in Luke 10:1-12, to King Abgar [36] and the king was cured. His name in Aramaic (Teoma) and Greek (Didymos) means "twin"; John 11:16 identifies him as "Thomas, called the Twin." The apostle Thomas was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church there. Lynn Johnson / National Geographic Creative While the New Testament provides some information about Jesus' and his disciples' lives, it is impossible to determine the historicity of this information because there are no other historical sources to corroborate the religious sources. And that same hour, which was right fair weather, came so great thunder and lightning that the temple was smitten in three, and the two enchanters were turned into coals by the stroke of thunder. A Christian Study. Feast Day - July 3rd. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 31, p. 148) it represents Thomas (Judas Thomas, as he is called here and elsewhere in Syriac tradition) as the twin brother of Jesus. All of the disciples, except John, deserted Jesus at the cross. Or stoned to death. He may have reached Muziris, India where he baptized several believers and was possibly the first to bring the gospel to the Far East. Learn Religions. He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he died. He doubted the resurrection until the Lord appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch his wounds and see for himself. Its commonly believed that only one apostle died of natural causes (John), but some accounts suggest there may have been others who werent martyred. All rights reserved. Both his Aramaic and Greek names mean ''twin,'' which is what he is often called throughout the New Testament. The Golden Legend notes several accounts: There be divers opinions of the manner of his passion. They misunderstood and doubted Jesus, but Thomas is singled out in the gospels because he put his doubt into words. The apparently seamless transition from Jesuss invitation to Thomass confession actually entails the most striking and productive textual lacuna within the Thomas episode: The Gospel-writer remains completely silent about whether or not Thomas actually touched Jesuss wounds. Still, both accounts appear to be in agreement that Judas died around the same time as Jesus. Did the Apostle Thomas Die as a Martyr? | Sean McDowell St. Thomas the Apostle: Biography, Facts & Quotes | Study.com Right before his death in 72 AD, Thomas stood up to an Indian king (whose wife had become a Christian) when he pressured Thomas to make religious sacrifices to an idol. Thomas is still known today as the apostle to India for the many churches that he formed and helped build there.
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