Why was Thomas called the Twin (John 11:16)?

Answer

Twins are two children of the same parents born from the same pregnancy, usually within minutes of each other. One of Christ’s twelve disciples, Thomas, was referred to as “the Twin” «Then said Thomas, who is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”», (John 11:16, ESV) or “nicknamed the Twin” «Then said Thomas, who is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”», (John 11:16, NLT).

John’s Gospel mentions in three passages that Thomas was called the Twin (John 11:16; John 20:24; John 21:2). The Greek name Thōmas is a transliteration of an Aramaic word (te’oma), meaning “twin.” Thomas is also a transliteration of the Hebrew word (te’om) for “twin.” The Greek Christians of Jesus’ day tended to use the Hellenistic name Didymus (also meaning “twin”), which appears in John’s three remarks about Thomas being called the Twin.

The Bible does not name Thomas’s twin. The best we can do is speculate. Some believe that Thomas and Matthew may have been twins because their names often appear together in biblical lists of the disciples (see Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15).

The Acts of Thomas is an apocryphal book that suggests Thomas was called “Twin” because he looked like Jesus. In the Syrian church, Thomas is believed to be the twin brother of Jesus. Another gnostic writing, the Gospel of Thomas, reinforces such claims of secret knowledge about Thomas, even expounding on his fate: “Against his wishes Thomas traveled to India under the command.

Of the Lord. There he was martyred with spears by the hand of an Indian king. He was raised up, and his empty tomb took on magical properties. Today in St. Thomas, India, Christians assert that they descend from the apostle” (Elwell and Beitzel, “Thomas, The Apostle,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Baker Book House, 1988, p. 2,057).

Besides what we glean from John’s Gospel, the Bible provides little concrete information about Thomas. From John 11:16, we learn that Thomas possessed courage and commitment to Christ. When Jesus decides to return to Bethany because His friend Lazarus has died (John 11:14-15), the disciples are reluctant to go, fearing the Jews there might try to stone Him again «His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? », (John 11:8). John records, “So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him’” «Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. », (John 11:16, ESV).

In John 14:1–4, Jesus tells the disciples that He would prepare a place for them in heaven, adding that they would know the way to get there. Thomas is unafraid to be vulnerable with Jesus and honestly expresses his skepticism: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” «Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? », (John 14:5). The Lord is keen to give Thomas His answer, one that has illuminated the only path for believers ever since: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” «Jes

Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

The most well-known passage about Thomas is John 20:24–29, where he doubts the account of the other disciples who assert they have seen the risen Lord. He declares to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (verse 25). One week later, Jesus appears to Thomas, saying, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (verse 27). From this renowned incident, Thomas earns his second nickname, “Doubting Thomas.” Nevertheless, Thomas does believe, proclaiming, “My Lord and my God!” (verse 28).

The Doubting Twin Thomas also participates in an unproductive fishing expedition in which Jesus reveals Himself to seven of the apostles, instructing them to cast their nets on the opposite side of the boat (John 21:1-14). Upon following His guidance, they catch an abundance of fish they are unable to haul in. Jesus is instructing His disciples to be “fishers of men” rather than fishermen. He demonstrates to them that their prosperity in all future endeavors will rely on consistently following His lead.

The Bible does not specify why Thomas was known as the Twin, nor who his twin might have been. The sole certainty we can extract from Scripture is that Thomas was labeled the Twin. This designation could have been a moniker due to his resemblance to another individual, or he might have had a biological twin sibling. If Thomas did indeed have a twin, we can only speculate about the twin’s identity.