Thomas

Thomas is listed as one of the disciples in all four gospels, but in the gospel of John he plays a distinctive role. When Jesus announced His intention to go to the home of Lazarus, it was Thomas who declared, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” At the Last Supper it was Thomas who asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, and how can we know the way?” And perhaps most famously, after the resurrection it was Thomas who demanded to see the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and the wounds in His side before he would believe that Jesus was alive again.

According to Church Fathers such as Ephraem Syrus, Ambrose, Paulinus, Jerome, Gregory of Tours, and others, Thomas went to India as a slave for the king, Gundafor. While there he was entrusted with building a palace, but Thomas instead took the money given him for the project and distributed it to the poor. Thomas was imprisoned for this, but miraculously escaped and converted the king through his testimony of God’s provision. The king allowed Thomas to roam the country spreading the gospel message and many came to faith through his efforts, including the wife and son of a tribal chieftain. But this did not sit well with the ruler, who had Thomas condemned, led out of the city, and pierced through with spears by four soldiers.