Replies

As soon as I read the NIV translation I said, “Oh, that’s a problem.” What’s the problem? NKJV
“Seeing and Believing
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, [f]“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

What’s the problem? “A week later” versus “eight days later.” It’s the difference between a Sunday meeting and a Monday meeting. In the big scheme of things, it’s a niggling detail, but my blood runs cold at the lack of respect for the word of God this shows in the NIV translators.

That said, I enjoyed seeing the depictions of the various artists. I see this as a tender and gentle scene between Jesus and Thomas. He is not harsh in condemning Thomas’ unbelief, but welcomes him back and encourages him and the other disciples to believe.

This struck me much as the reconciliation between Jesus and Peter a little later at the sea of Galilee. Remember, every one of the disciples fled at His arrest. Only John was there at the crucifixion. None were mentioned as helping His burial. None of them believed the women, or Clopas and his companion when they said they saw Jesus.

And finally, we didn’t believe for a time, until God helped us believe. So, we’re all like Thomas.