Definition

Noun: * Thomas the Doubting Apostle: A title for the Apostle Thomas, one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus Christ, specifically characterizing him by his initial skepticism about Jesus's resurrection. According to the Gospel of John, he stated he would not believe unless he saw and touched the wounds of the crucified Jesus. This event led to the terms "Doubting Thomas" and the specific epithet "the Doubting Apostle."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The story of Thomas the Doubting Apostle teaches a lesson about faith and evidence.
  • In art, Thomas the Doubting Apostle is often depicted touching the wound in Christ's side.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is used figuratively to describe any person who is skeptical and refuses to believe something without direct physical evidence or personal proof.
  • Don't be such a Thomas the Doubting Apostle; the data from the experiment is clear.

Variants and Related Words

• Doubting Thomas (noun phrase): A more common and colloquial term for a habitually skeptical person, derived directly from the same biblical story.
  • He's a real Doubting Thomas when it comes to new technology.
• Thomas (proper noun): The name of the apostle, without the descriptive epithet.
• Apostle (noun): One of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ.

Synonyms

• Skeptic: A person inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions.
• Disbeliever: A person who refuses to believe something.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to the initial doubt of the apostle Thomas, which was later resolved when Jesus appeared to him. It is not a term for permanent disbelief, but for a demand for empirical proof. The story concludes with Jesus saying, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

Noun

1. the Apostle who would not believe the resurrection of Jesus until he saw Jesus with his own eyes