What was the significance of Thomas in the resurrection story?

Answer 1

A:

Thomas only has a prominent role in the resurrection story of John's Gospel. When Jesus appeared to the assembled disciples on the evening of his resurrection in Luke's Gospel, all eleven were there, but in this account Thomas was not there. Hisabsence was significant, because when Jesus breathed on the disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit (20:22), Thomas was the only disciple not to receive the Holy Spirit. Eight days later, Jesus again appeared to the disciples at a meal in the same room, but this time Thomas was there. Thomas had expressed doubts when told that Jesus had been seen alive, but on seeing Jesus he was convinced.

The respected New Testament scholar, Elaine Pagels, says there is a theme in John's Gospel of portraying Thomas as constantly doubting Jesus. She says that comparative texts indicate that there was rivalry between members of the Johannine community and other Christians who believed they followed the apostle Thomas. By creating the notion of "doubting Thomas" and by portraying Thomas as the only disciple not to receive the Holy GHost, John's Gospel undermines to status of Saint Thomas.