Thomas has been known throughout history as “Doubting Thomas.”
Really, he just missed out on Jesus doing something so incredible (revealing his resurrected self to the other disciples!) that he wanted to see it for himself. Wouldn’t you? Would you just take your friend’s word for it that someone came back from the dead? Especially if you should have seen it personally and for some reason didn’t?
Thomas was honest. He was absent in that moment. But throughout Jesus’ ministry He also asked great questions. He was extremely loyal to Jesus (even to death). He could be called a lot of things, but if “Doubting” is used in a negative sense in Thomas’s case I think we are doing him a disservice.
Loyal Thomas - Thomas told the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). The other disciples didn’t want to return to Lazarus’ hometown because they thought they were going to killed. Thomas said if Jesus wants to go there, I’m going with Him.
Asking Good Questions Thomas – Thomas spoke up and honestly asked Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). Jesus answered Thomas with these powerful words: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Friend Thomas – When no one was quite sure what was happening, Thomas was fishing with Peter and 5 other disciples when Jesus appeared to them at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:2).
Present Thomas - The final mention of Thomas is in Act 1:13, where he is listed among the disciples.
Gospel Thomas - Christian history tells us that Thomas took the gospel to either Parthia (Modern Iran) or India and that he was martyred for his faith.