John 20:28 – “Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse is Thomas’ response after Jesus appears to him personally and invites him to touch His wounds. Just moments earlier, Thomas had insisted that he would not believe unless he saw and touched Jesus’ scars (John 20:25). But now, standing before the risen Jesus, Thomas doesn’t need to touch Him anymore.

His immediate reaction is a powerful confession: “My Lord and my God!” This is not just a statement of amazement—it is a declaration of faith. Thomas recognizes that Jesus is not only alive, but that He is truly God.

This moment marks one of the clearest declarations of Jesus’ divinity in the entire Bible. Thomas acknowledges Jesus as both his Master (“Lord”) and his God (“God”). His doubt has turned into belief, and his belief leads him to worship.

Historical Context

Thomas was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, but he had not been present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples after His resurrection (John 20:24). Because of this, he had refused to believe their testimony, demanding personal proof.

In Jewish culture, calling someone “Lord” (Greek: Kyrios) could mean “master” or “teacher,” but calling someone “God” (Theos) was a bold and unmistakable claim. Jews were strictly monotheistic—they worshiped only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). For Thomas, a devout Jew, to say “My Lord and my God” to Jesus shows that he had come to fully believe that Jesus was not just the Messiah, but God Himself.

At this time, the Roman world also had “lords” and “gods.” Roman emperors were sometimes called “Lord and God”, demanding worship from their people. By declaring this about Jesus, Thomas was making a radical confession—Jesus, not Caesar, is the true Lord and God.

Theological Implications

This verse holds deep theological truths about Jesus’ identity:

1. Jesus is both Lord and God. Thomas’ words affirm that Jesus is not just a great teacher or a prophet—He is divine.
2. Faith is the right response to Jesus. Thomas moves from doubt to worship, showing that seeing Jesus for who He truly is leads to devotion.
3. Jesus personally reveals Himself to doubters. Thomas’ confession happens because Jesus meets him where he is, addressing his doubts directly.
4. Salvation requires a personal faith. Thomas says “My Lord and my God”—his faith is personal, not just intellectual. Each believer must make their own confession of faith in Jesus.

Literary Analysis

John’s Gospel is carefully written to show Jesus’ identity, and this verse is one of the high points of that theme.

• “Thomas said to him” – Unlike before, when Thomas spoke about Jesus in the third person (John 20:25), now he speaks directly to Him. His faith is now personal.
• “My Lord and my God” – This phrase is both a confession and an act of worship. Thomas doesn’t just acknowledge Jesus intellectually—he submits to Him.
• No record of Thomas touching Jesus – Even though Jesus invited him to touch His wounds (John 20:27), Thomas doesn’t seem to do it. Seeing Jesus was enough.

This passage also fulfills the theme of belief in John’s Gospel. From the beginning, John wrote to show that Jesus is the Son of God so that people would believe in Him and have life (John 20:31). Thomas’ confession is the climax of this message—Jesus is God, and He is worthy of belief.

Biblical Cross-References

• John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jesus is God from the very beginning.)
• Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born… and He will be called… Mighty God.” (A prophecy about Jesus being God.)
• Colossians 2:9 – “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” (Jesus is fully God in human form.)
• Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.” (A similar phrase is used in worship of God in heaven.)
• Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Thomas’ confession is the kind of faith that leads to salvation.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Thomas’ story is good news for anyone who has ever struggled with doubt.

• Faith is not about having all the answers—it’s about recognizing Jesus for who He truly is.
• Jesus is patient with those who struggle. If you have doubts, Jesus doesn’t push you away—He invites you to seek Him.
• True faith is personal. Thomas didn’t just say Jesus was the Lord and God—he said “MY Lord and MY God.” Faith must be personal for each believer.
• Jesus is God, and we must respond to Him with worship. It’s not enough to admire Jesus or respect Him as a teacher—He must be our Lord and our God.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how Jesus responds to Thomas:

1. He doesn’t reject Thomas for doubting. Instead, He meets him where he is.
2. He invites Thomas into deeper faith. Jesus doesn’t just tell Thomas to believe—He reveals Himself to strengthen his faith.
3. He allows personal encounters. Thomas gets to see Jesus for himself. Today, we experience Jesus through the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and the community of faith.

This verse shows that God is not distant or impersonal. He desires real relationships with people and patiently leads them to faith.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse is one of the strongest declarations of who Jesus is in the entire Bible.

1. Jesus is truly God. Thomas’ words confirm that Jesus is not just a man—He is divine.
2. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Gospel. From the beginning, John’s Gospel has pointed to this truth—that Jesus is the Son of God who came to save the world.
3. Jesus deserves worship. Thomas’ reaction is the only right response to who Jesus is—to bow before Him and declare Him Lord and God.

Other related passages:

• John 5:23 – “That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.”
• Philippians 2:10-11 – “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
• Matthew 16:16 – Peter’s confession: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Thomas moved so quickly from doubt to worship?
2. How does this verse help us understand Jesus’ divine nature?
3. What does it mean for you personally to call Jesus “My Lord and my God”?
4. How can Thomas’ story encourage someone struggling with faith today?
5. How should recognizing Jesus as Lord and God change the way we live?