Topical Encyclopedia
Didymus, also known as Thomas, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The name "Didymus" is of Greek origin, meaning "twin," which corresponds to the Aramaic name "Thomas." He is prominently mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of John, where his character and actions provide significant insights into his role among the disciples and his relationship with Jesus.
Biblical References:1.
John 11:16 · In this passage, Thomas, called Didymus, displays a moment of courage and loyalty. When Jesus decides to return to Judea, where the Jews had recently sought to stone Him, Thomas says to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." This statement reflects Thomas's willingness to face danger alongside Jesus, demonstrating his commitment and bravery.
2.
John 14:5 · During the Last Supper, Thomas questions Jesus about the way to where He is going. Thomas says, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?" This inquiry leads to one of Jesus' profound declarations: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (
John 14:6). Thomas's question reveals his desire for understanding and clarity, which prompts Jesus to provide a foundational truth of the Christian faith.
3.
John 20:24-29 · Thomas is perhaps best known for his initial doubt regarding Jesus' resurrection. After Jesus appears to the other disciples, Thomas, who was not present, expresses skepticism, saying, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe" (
John 20:25). Eight days later, Jesus appears again and invites Thomas to touch His wounds. Thomas responds with a profound confession of faith, "My Lord and my God!" (
John 20:28). This encounter highlights Thomas's journey from doubt to faith and serves as a testament to the reality of the resurrection.
4.
John 21:2 · Thomas is listed among the disciples who were present at the Sea of Tiberias when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection. This appearance further solidifies Thomas's role as a witness to the risen Christ and his inclusion in the early Christian community.
Character and Legacy:Thomas, or Didymus, is often remembered for his doubt, earning him the moniker "Doubting Thomas." However, his account is one of transformation and deep faith. His initial skepticism is met with a personal encounter with the risen Christ, leading to a declaration of Jesus' divinity. This transformation underscores the theme of faith overcoming doubt, a central message in the Christian narrative.
Tradition holds that Thomas carried the Gospel beyond the Roman Empire, traveling as far as India, where he is believed to have established a Christian community. His missionary work and martyrdom are celebrated in various Christian traditions, particularly among the Saint Thomas Christians of India.
Thomas's journey from doubt to faith serves as an encouragement to believers, illustrating that questions and uncertainties can lead to a deeper understanding and relationship with Christ. His life and witness continue to inspire Christians to seek truth and remain steadfast in their faith.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Didymusa twin; double
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Didymus(the twin), a surname of the apostle Thomas. (John 11:16;20:24;21:2) [THOMAS]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Gr. twin = Hebrews Thomas, q.v.),
John 11:16;
20:24;
21:2.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DIDYMUSdid'-i-mus (Didumos, i.e. "twin"): The surname of thOMAS (which see).
Greek
1324. Didumos --Didymus.... 1323, 1324. Didumos. 1325 .
Didymus.
... Word Origin "twin,"
Didymus, Gr. surname
of the apostle Thomas (cf. Thomas) NASB Word Usage
Didymus (3).
Didymus.
...2381. Thomas -- "the twin," Thomas, one of the twelve apostles
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Thomas Phonetic Spelling:
(tho-mas') Short Definition: Thomas Definition: Thomas, also calledDidymus, one...
Library
Didymus
... Chapter CIX.Didymus.Didymus, [2539] of Alexandria, becoming blind while
very young, and therefore ignorant of the rudiments of...
Epistle i. --To Domitius andDidymus.
... Part II."Containing Epistles, or Fragments of Epistles. Epistle I."To
Domitius andDidymus. 1. But it would be a superfluous...
OfDidymus the Blind Man.
... Book IV. Chapter XXV."OfDidymus the Blind Man. About the same period God
brought into observation another faithful person, deeming...
OfDidymus of Alexandria and Ephraim the Syrian.
... Book IV. Chapter XXVI."OfDidymus of Alexandria and Ephraim the Syrian.
At that period at Edessa flourished the admirable Ephraim...
Didymus the Blind, and Aetius the Heretic.
... Book III. Chapter XV."Didymus the Blind, and A?�tius the Heretic.Didymus,
[1262] an ecclesiastical writer and president of the...
Monks of Scetis: Origen,Didymus, Cronion, Orsisius, Putubatus...
... Chapter XXX."Monks of Scetis: Origen,Didymus, Cronion, Orsisius, Putubatus, Arsion,
Serapion, Ammon, Eusebius, and Dioscorus, the Brethren who are called...
If, Then, You Really Intend to do an Act of Repentance for those...
... He indeed, has not in his whole life stayed more than thirty days at Alexandria
whereDidymus lived; yet almost all through his books he boasts, at length and...
You See by this what his Opinions are About Origen and Also About...
... set forth a Preface of his by which you may see in what foul and unworthy terms
he assails even a man of such eminence, and also how he praisesDidymus to the...
You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him a Crow and...
... have been the first thought in your mind, (still less the object of such zealous
efforts as to make you set to work to translate the work ofDidymus on the...
The Festal Epistles of Dionysius, in which He Also Gives a Paschal...
... He addressed one of these to Flavius, [2306] and another to Domitius andDidymus,
[2307] in which he sets forth a canon of eight years, [2308] maintaining that...
Thesaurus
Didymus (3 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DIDYMUS. did'-i-mus (Didumos, ie "twin"): The surname
of thOMAS (which see). Multi-Version Concordance
Didymus (3 Occurrences).
...Thomas (12 Occurrences)
... Twin, one of the twelve (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18, etc.). He was also calledDidymus
(John 11:16; 20:24), which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name....
Named (428 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY BBE WBS NIV). John 11:16 Then Thomas, who was namedDidymus, said to the
other disciples, Let us go so that we may be with him in death. (BBE)....
Zebedee (11 Occurrences)
... John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas calledDidymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and
the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together....
Zeb'edee (11 Occurrences)
... John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas who is calledDidymus, and
Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, and the 'sons' of Zebedee, and two others of...
Nathan'a-el (6 Occurrences)
... John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas who is calledDidymus, and
Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, and the 'sons' of Zebedee, and two others of...
Let's (74 Occurrences)
... John 11:16 Thomas therefore, who is calledDidymus, said to his fellow
disciples, "Let's go also, that we may die with him." (WEB)....
Wasn't (35 Occurrences)
... the poor?" (WEB NIV). John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, calledDidymus,
wasn't with them when Jesus came. (WEB). John 21:11...
Fellow-disciples (1 Occurrence)
... Fellow-disciples (1 Occurrence). John 11:16 Thomas therefore, who is calledDidymus,
said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him....
Fellowdisciples (1 Occurrence)
... Fellowdisciples (1 Occurrence). John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is calledDidymus,
unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. (KJV)....
Resources
Who are the twins in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Thomas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the disciple whom Jesus loved? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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