The Disciples Commissioned

¹⁹ In the evening of that first day of the week,^(A) the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”^(B)

²⁰ Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side.^(C) So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me,^(D) I also send you.”^{(E) 22} After saying this, He breathed on them^(F) and said,^[a] “Receive the Holy Spirit.^{(G) 23} If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”^(H)

Thomas Sees and Believes

²⁴ But one of the Twelve, Thomas^(I) (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails,^(J) and put my hand into His side,^(K) I will never believe!”^(L)

²⁶ After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!”

²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.”^(M)

²⁸ Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed.^[b] Those who believe without seeing^(N) are blessed.”