CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 11:16 Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/11-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/43_Jhn_11_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 11:16 - The Death of Lazarus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, so that we may die with Him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/11-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/11-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/11-15.htm" title="John 11:15">◄</a> John 11:16 <a href="/john/11-17.htm" title="John 11:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/11.htm">New International Version</a> Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, &#8220Let us also go, that we may die with him.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” <a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” <a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Thomas called Didymus said to the fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." <a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. <a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” <a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore Thomas, who was called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s also go, so that we may die with Him!” <a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, &#8220Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” <a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” <a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Thomas, who was called Didymus (the twin), said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go too, that we may die with Him.” <a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Thomas (called “Twin” ) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too so that we may die with him.” <a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Thomas (called &#8220Twin&#8221) said to his fellow disciples, &#8220Let&#8217s go so that we may die with Him.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. <a href="/cev/john/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Thomas, whose nickname was "Twin," said to the other disciples, "Come on. Let's go, so we can die with him." <a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. <a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Thomas, who was called Didymus, said to the rest of the disciples, "Let's go so that we, too, can die with Jesus." <a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> Thomas (called the Twin) said to his fellow disciples, "Let us all go along with the Teacher, so that we may die with him!" <a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Thomas, who was called the Twin, told his fellow disciples, "Let's go, too, so that we may die with him!" <a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, ?Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.? <a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a> So Thomas (called Didymus) said to his fellow disciples, "Let us go too, so that we may die with him." <a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us go also, that we may die with him." <a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said Thomas, who is called Didymus, to his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Let us go also," Thomas, the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "that we may die with him." <a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s also go, that we may die with him.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to the fellow-disciples, “We may go—we also, that we may die with Him,” <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Thomas called Didymus said to the fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." <a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> therefore said Thomas, who is called Didymus, to the fellow-disciples, 'We may go -- we also, that we may die with him,' <a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then said Thomas, called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we might die with him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him. <a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go, too, so that we may die with him.” <a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a> So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go to die with him.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, and die with him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go also and die with him.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow-disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow-disciples; Let us go too, that we may die with Him. <a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then said Thomas, (called Didymus, the twin,) to his fellow-disciples, Let us go too, that we may die with him.<CM> <a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> then said Thomas, that is, Didymus, to his fellow-disciples, let us also go, that we may die with him. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Let us go also," Thomas, the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "that we may die with him." <a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Thomas, who is called Dydimus, said, therefore, to His fellow-disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." <a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. <a href="/parallel/john/11-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3972" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">The Death of Lazarus</a> …15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2381.htm" title="2381: Thōmas (N-NMS) -- Thomas, also called Didymus, one of the Twelve. Of Chaldee origin; the twin; Thomas, a Christian.">Thomas</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">called</a> <a href="/greek/1324.htm" title="1324: Didymos (N-NMS) -- The Twin; Didymus, the Greek name equivalent to Thomas. Prolongation from dis; double, i.e. Twin; Didymus, a Christian.">Didymus</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">said</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to his</a> <a href="/greek/4827.htm" title="4827: symmathētais (N-DMP) -- A fellow disciple. From a compound of sun and manthano; a co-learner.">fellow disciples,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmeis (PPro-N1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">“Let us</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">also</a> <a href="/greek/71.htm" title="71: Agōmen (V-PSA-1P) -- A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.">go,</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apothanōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">we may die</a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: met’ (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.”</a> 17When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already spent four days in the tomb.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/14-5.htm">John 14:5</a> “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” <a href="/john/20-24.htm">John 20:24-29</a> Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. / So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” / Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ... <a href="/matthew/10-3.htm">Matthew 10:3</a> Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; <a href="/mark/3-18.htm">Mark 3:18</a> Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, <a href="/luke/6-15.htm">Luke 6:15</a> Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot; <a href="/acts/1-13.htm">Acts 1:13</a> When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. <a href="/john/6-66.htm">John 6:66-69</a> From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. / So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?” / Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. ... <a href="/john/21-2.htm">John 21:2</a> Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. <a href="/matthew/26-31.htm">Matthew 26:31-35</a> Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ / But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” / Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” ... <a href="/mark/14-31.htm">Mark 14:31</a> But Peter kept insisting, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the others said the same thing. <a href="/luke/22-33.htm">Luke 22:33</a> “Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.” <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Matthew 16:21-23</a> From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. / Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” / But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” <a href="/mark/8-31.htm">Mark 8:31-33</a> Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. / He spoke this message quite frankly, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. / But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” <a href="/luke/9-22.htm">Luke 9:22</a> “The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” <a href="/john/13-37.htm">John 13:37</a> “Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.Thomas.<a href="/john/20-24.htm">John 20:24-29</a> But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came… <a href="/john/21-2.htm">John 21:2</a> There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.<a href="/matthew/10-3.htm">Matthew 10:3</a> Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;Let.<a href="/john/11-8.htm">John 11:8</a> His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?<a href="/john/13-37.htm">John 13:37</a> Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.<a href="/matthew/26-35.htm">Matthew 26:35</a> Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/21-2.htm">Didymus</a> <a href="/john/8-24.htm">Die</a> <a href="/john/11-13.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/9-29.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/john/11-15.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/john/11-13.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/luke/6-16.htm">Thomas</a> <a href="/songs/6-6.htm">Twin</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/20-24.htm">Didymus</a> <a href="/john/11-25.htm">Die</a> <a href="/john/11-54.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/acts/2-14.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/john/19-24.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/john/19-40.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/john/14-5.htm">Thomas</a> <a href="/john/20-24.htm">Twin</a><div class="vheading2">John 11</div>1. <a href="/john/11-1.htm">Jesus raises Lazarus, four days buried.</a> 45. <a href="/john/11-45.htm">Many Jews believe.</a> 47. <a href="/john/11-47.htm">The high priests and Pharisees gather a council against Jesus.</a> 49. <a href="/john/11-49.htm">Caiaphas prophesies.</a> 54. <a href="/john/11-54.htm">Jesus hides himself.</a> 55. <a href="/john/11-55.htm">At the Passover they enquire after him, and lay wait for him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Thomas called Didymus Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, is also known as Didymus, which means "twin" in Greek. This dual naming highlights the common practice of having both a Hebrew and a Greek name, reflecting the cultural blend of the time. Thomas is often remembered for his skepticism, particularly in <a href="/john/20-24.htm">John 20:24-29</a>, where he doubts Jesus' resurrection until he sees Him. His character is complex, showing both doubt and deep loyalty.said to his fellow disciples Thomas addresses the other disciples, indicating a close-knit group that often traveled and ministered together with Jesus. This phrase underscores the communal nature of Jesus' ministry and the shared experiences of His followers. The disciples frequently faced danger and uncertainty, as seen in previous chapters where they encountered opposition from religious leaders.“Let us also go Thomas's statement is a response to Jesus' decision to return to Judea, where there was a threat to His life (<a href="/john/11-8.htm">John 11:8</a>). This reflects a willingness to follow Jesus despite the risks, demonstrating a commitment that goes beyond mere words. The disciples often struggled with fear and misunderstanding, yet moments like this reveal their dedication.so that we may die with Him.” Thomas expresses a readiness to face death alongside Jesus, showing a profound, albeit somber, loyalty. This echoes the call to discipleship, where Jesus teaches about taking up one's cross (<a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24-25</a>). The statement foreshadows the eventual martyrdom many disciples would face and highlights the cost of following Christ. It also connects to the theme of resurrection and life, central to the chapter, as Jesus later raises Lazarus from the dead, pointing to His power over death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/thomas.htm">Thomas (Didymus)</a> One of the twelve apostles, known for his skepticism and later for his declaration of faith in the resurrected Christ. "Didymus" means "twin" in Greek, indicating he may have had a twin sibling. 2. <a href="/topical/f/fellow_disciples.htm">Fellow Disciples</a> The group of Jesus' closest followers who were with Him during His ministry. They often struggled with understanding Jesus' mission and teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus'_journey_to_judea.htm">Jesus' Journey to Judea</a> This event occurs as Jesus decides to return to Judea to raise Lazarus from the dead, despite the danger posed by the Jewish leaders who sought to kill Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_faith.htm">Courage in Faith</a> Thomas' statement reflects a willingness to face danger and even death for the sake of being with Jesus. As believers, we are called to have courage in our faith, even when it leads us into difficult or dangerous situations. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_commitment.htm">Understanding Commitment</a> Thomas' words, though perhaps spoken with a mix of bravery and misunderstanding, remind us of the depth of commitment required in following Christ. True discipleship may involve sacrifice and risk. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_doubt.htm">The Role of Doubt</a> Thomas is often remembered for his doubt, but here he shows a boldness that is commendable. Doubt can coexist with faith, and God can use our questions to deepen our understanding and commitment. <a href="/topical/c/community_in_discipleship.htm">Community in Discipleship</a> Thomas addresses his fellow disciples, indicating the importance of community in the journey of faith. We are not called to walk alone but to encourage and support one another in our walk with Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 11</a> <a href="/q/who_was_thomas_the_twin_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Thomas, called the Twin, in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/did_apostle_thomas_travel_to_india.htm">Did Apostle Thomas travel to India?</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_bible's_twins.htm">Who are the twins mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_if_i_doubt_my_salvation.htm">What if I doubt my salvation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) Then (or, better, therefore) said Thomas, which is called Didymus.--The second of these names is the Greek translation of the first, which is Hebrew. Both mean "twin." Both are found together again in <a href="/john/20-24.htm" title="But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.">John 20:24</a>; <a href="/john/21-2.htm" title="There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.">John 21:2</a>. Comp. Notes on the Catalogues of the Apostles in <a href="/matthew/10-3.htm" title="Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;">Matthew 10:3</a>, <a href="/mark/3-18.htm" title="And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,">Mark 3:18</a>, <a href="/luke/6-15.htm" title="Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,">Luke 6:15</a>, in all of which he is coupled with Matthew, whose twin-brother he possibly was; and in <a href="/acts/1-13.htm" title="And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where stayed both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.">Acts 1:13</a>, where he is coupled with Philip. The name belonged probably to his childhood, and we are wholly without the knowledge which can explain it. The various theories which attempt to do so, from the statement of the Apostolical Constitutions that he had a twin sister Lydia, to the view that the name was given by our Lord to signify his double or halting spiritual nature, are never more than, and are sometimes much less than, elaborate guesses. We may well believe that the name is due to the fact that he was a twin, but of whom it is of no importance that we should know, and it is quite certain that we cannot know. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Thomas, in Aramaic, is equivalent in meaning to the Greek name Didymus, or "twin." This apostle is mentioned in the synoptic Gospels with Matthew, and in Acts (<a href="/acts/1-13.htm">Acts 1:13</a>) with Philip. He is classed with the fishermen (<a href="/john/21-2.htm">John 21:2</a>), and may therefore have been a Galilaean. Ecclesiastical tradition has associated him with Judas (not Iscariot) (Eusebius, 'Hist. Eccl.,' 1:13), and with Judas the brother of Jesus. He is reputed to have preached ultimately in Parthia and India, there to have suffered martyrdom. The various references to him in this Gospel give, by a few vivid touches, a biography and characterization of singular congruity. He said to his fellow-disciples (the word συμμαθητής is only used in this place, and shows that the body of the disciples were being more and more blended into a unity), Let us go, that we may die with him. Here he manifests a fervent love to his Master, tinged with a sorrowful, melancholy temperament. He saw the danger to his Lord, but at once, with the spirit of self-surrender, was ready to share his fate. Moulton says these words reveal love, but they are "the language of despair and vanished hope. This is the end of all - death, not Messianic kingdom." Surely Thomas may have pondered much the Lord's words about his approaching death, and may have felt ready, along the same line, willingly to yield up his own life for his Master's or with his Master. Too much has been made of Thomas's skepticism and criticism. He was one who wanted visible, tangible evidence; but he was prepared to act impulsively, and to give powerful expression to his faith, whenever the evidence was granted. In <a href="/john/14-5.htm">John 14:5</a> he was still in the dark, but it was not an evil darkness. How could he know, with the clearness which his mind naturally desiderated, whither our Lord was going? No brainless or heartless unbelief led him to ask, "How can we know the way?" At last (<a href="/john/20-24.htm">John 20:24</a>, etc.), when he wanted ocular, personal, tangible evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, and absented himself in deep melancholy from the company of the eleven, it is clear that his soul was ready for the full manifestation. Before he could have put his finger into the print of the nails, he exclaimed, with adoring gratitude, "MY LORD AND MY GOD!" His hesitation and his conviction, with his superlative ecstatic cry, form the culminating point of the Gospel. <a href="/commentaries/john/11-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. Thomas Θωμᾶς (Thōmas) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2381.htm">Strong's 2381: </a> Thomas, also called Didymus, one of the Twelve. Of Chaldee origin; the twin; Thomas, a Christian. called λεγόμενος (legomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. Didymus Δίδυμος (Didymos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1324.htm">Strong's 1324: </a> The Twin; Didymus, the Greek name equivalent to Thomas. Prolongation from dis; double, i.e. Twin; Didymus, a Christian. said Εἶπεν (Eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to [his] τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. fellow disciples, συμμαθηταῖς (symmathētais) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4827.htm">Strong's 4827: </a> A fellow disciple. From a compound of sun and manthano; a co-learner. “{Let} us ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. also καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. go, Ἄγωμεν (Agōmen) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_71.htm">Strong's 71: </a> A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. we may die ἀποθάνωμεν (apothanōmen) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off. with μετ’ (met’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. Him.” αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/11-16.htm">John 11:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/11-16.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:16 Thomas therefore who is called Didymus said (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/11-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 11:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 11:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>