"Thomas, pr. name, Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Jn. 11:16; 14:5; 20:24, 26, 27, 28; 21:2; Acts 1:13*"
Definition and meaning
Thomas, pr. name, Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Jn. 11:16; 14:5; 20:24, 26, 27, 28; 21:2; Acts 1:13*
In the original Greek the word is written: Θωμᾶς
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of thomas (G2381) across the King James Bible.
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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Common questions
Strong's G2381 (thomas) is a Greek word that means: Thomas, pr. name, Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Jn. 11:16; 14:5; 20:24, 26, 27, 28; 21:2; Acts 1:13* It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word thomas (G2381) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2381 is thomas, a Greek word defined as: Thomas, pr. name, Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Jn. 11:16; 14:5; 20:24, 26, 27, 28; 21:2; Acts 1:13*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
thomas is a Greek word found in the New Testament.