ACC ~ John 11 v16

THOMAS LATER BECOMES THE MOST ZEALOUS OF ALL THE DISCIPLES

CHRYSOSTOM Some say that Thomas himself wanted to die. But this is not the case. The expression is rather one of cowardice. And yet Christ does not rebuke him but instead supports his weakness. The result is that in the end he became stronger than them all—in fact, invincible. For the wonderful thing is this: We see one who was so weak before the crucifixion become more tenacious than any of them after the crucifixion and after he comes to believe in the resurrection. This is how great the power of Christ was. The very man who dared not go in company with Christ to Bethany, the same person, while not seeing Christ, ran practically through the entire inhabited world, living in the midst of nations that were full of murder and wanting to kill him. [1] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 62.2. [2]

[1] Eugene LaVerdiere, in his article on Thomas in EEC 900, notes that Thomas was particularly influential in early church history as an apostle to Syria and its environs. Eusebius says he brought the Gospel to Parthia (Ecclesiastical History 3.1). Jerome and Rufinus of Aquileia (Ecclesiastical History 2.4) mention his influence in Persia. Gregory of Nazianzus in his Oration 25, as well as the Acts of Thomas 1, note that he preached the gospel in India where he also ultimately received martyrdom.

[2] NPNF 1 14:228**.

THOMAS EXPECTS DEATH WHEN HE SHOULD EXPECT LIFE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA There is audacity in Thomas’s words, but also timidity. It was the outflow of a devout heart, but it was mixed with a small faith. For he does not endure being left behind and even tries to persuade the others to adopt a similar resolution. Nevertheless, he thinks that they are destined to suffer [death] at the hands of the Jews, even against the will of Christ. … He neglects to look at the power of the Deliverer as he should have. And Christ made them timid, by enduring with patience beyond measure the sufferings he did experience at the hands of the Jews. Thomas therefore says that they should not separate themselves from their teacher, although undoubted danger lay before them. So, perhaps with a knowing smile, he said, “Let us go,” that is, “Let us die.” Or, maybe he meant, If we go, we certainly will die. Nevertheless, let us not refuse to suffer, for that would be too cowardly. Because if he raises from the dead, fear is superfluous seeing that we have someone who is able to raise us again after we have fallen. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7. [1]

[1] LF 48:115**. Theodore expresses many of the same points.

THOMAS MUST DIE WITH JESUS IN ORDER TO LIVE WITH HIM

ORIGEN Perhaps Thomas also knew that it would not be possible to live with Jesus except by having died with him, as Paul taught. [1] But those who disagree say that he said this because he suspected the envy of the Jews that would arise from the resurrection of Lazarus, and the ensuing danger. FRAGMENT 79 ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. [2]

[1] Rom 6:8.

[2] AEG 4:167*; GCS 10(4):546.