By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
The declaration of the apostle Thomas in John 20:28—“My Lord and my God!”—stands as a pivotal confession within Christian theology, directly affirming the divine nature of Jesus Christ. This confession occurs in the context of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, specifically addressing Thomas’s prior skepticism about the reality of the resurrection. Upon witnessing the risen Christ, Thomas’s exclamation is not merely an expression of astonishment but a theologically loaded acknowledgment of both the lordship (kyrios) and deity (theos) of Christ.
The Textual Foundation: John 20:28-29
"Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"
(John 20:28-29, ESV)
Significantly, Jesus does not rebuke or correct Thomas for addressing Him as “God.” On the contrary, Jesus affirms Thomas’s faith and pronounces a blessing on future believers who will confess His divinity without the benefit of physical sight. Had Jesus not been truly divine, such acceptance would have constituted either deception or blasphemy—both of which are antithetical to Jesus’ sinless nature, as attested in Hebrews 4:15 (“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”).
The Theological Significance
The response of Jesus to Thomas is crucial in Trinitarian theology. Nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus shy away from His divine identity. In fact, this episode echoes earlier Johannine affirmations, notably in the prologue:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1),
and
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14).
The Christological declaration by Thomas, therefore, brings the narrative arc of John’s Gospel full circle: from the Word who was God, to the incarnate Word who is recognized as God by His disciples.
Patristic and Conciliar Testimony
The confession of Thomas is not an isolated theological datum. The early Church Fathers, such as Athanasius and Augustine, cited this passage as proof of Christ’s divinity. The Nicene Creed (325 AD), which continues to define orthodox Christian belief, proclaims Jesus as "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance (homoousios) with the Father." This creed, forged amid the Arian controversy, directly reflects the high Christology evident in Thomas’s confession.
Christ’s Acceptance of Divine Titles
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus receives and accepts divine titles and worship. In Matthew 14:33, the disciples worship Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” In Matthew 28:17, after the resurrection, “they worshipped him.” In both instances, Jesus accepts worship due to God alone (cf. Deuteronomy 6:13, Matthew 4:10). Moreover, Jesus applies to Himself the divine name “I AM” (ego eimi) in John 8:58, alluding to the divine name revealed in Exodus 3:14 (“I AM WHO I AM”).
Christ’s Sinlessness and the Implication for His Acceptance
The integrity of Jesus’ character underpins the argument for His divinity. Jesus is portrayed as sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22). If He were not God and yet accepted worship and the ascription of divinity, He would have been guilty of the highest blasphemy—a charge never made by even His fiercest opponents, who accused Him of blasphemy only for "making Himself God" (John 10:33), not for accepting worship.
Apostolic Testimony
Other New Testament writers echo Thomas’s confession. Paul, in Titus 2:13, refers to Jesus as “our great God and Savior.” Peter uses similar language in 2 Peter 1:1. The author of Hebrews writes, “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...’” (Hebrews 1:8).
Conclusion
The confession of Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” is theologically indispensable. Jesus’ acceptance of this title, without correction or rebuke, affirms the New Testament’s consistent witness to His divinity. The sinless Christ could not receive false adoration. Instead, He confirms that faith in His divine nature is the foundation of Christian belief. Thus, the testimony of Thomas, bolstered by the unanimous voice of Scripture and the historic creeds of the Church, stands as incontrovertible evidence: Jesus is indeed Lord and God.
References:
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The Holy Bible, ESV
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Athanasius, On the Incarnation
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Augustine, On the Trinity
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The Nicene Creed
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Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John
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Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity
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