Which disciple sought physical evidence of Jesus' resurrection?

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a central event in Christian theology, and is believed to be the cornerstone of the Christian faith. According to the Gospels, after Jesus was crucified and buried, he rose from the dead on the third day and appeared to his disciples. However, not all of the disciples immediately believed that Jesus had risen. One in particular, Thomas, sought physical evidence of Jesus' resurrection.

Thomas, also known as "Doubting Thomas," is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, he is portrayed as a skeptical and questioning disciple who demands physical evidence of Jesus' resurrection before he will believe. In John 20:24-29, Thomas says, "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."

This episode is significant because it shows that even the closest followers of Jesus were not immune to doubt and skepticism. Thomas' demand for physical evidence is a natural human response to a seemingly impossible claim, and reflects the importance of empirical evidence in our understanding of the world.

However, the story of Thomas also emphasizes the importance of faith in the Christian tradition. In John 20:29, Jesus appears to Thomas and says, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." This statement suggests that faith, rather than empirical evidence, is the foundation of the Christian faith.

The story of Thomas also has broader implications for the relationship between faith and reason. In the history of Christianity, there has been a tension between these two modes of understanding the world. Some have argued that faith and reason are incompatible, and that belief in God requires a rejection of empirical evidence and rational thought. Others have argued that faith and reason can complement each other, and that a robust faith requires engagement with the natural world and rational inquiry.

The story of Thomas suggests that faith and reason need not be in conflict. While Thomas demanded physical evidence of Jesus' resurrection, he ultimately came to believe based on his own experience of encountering the risen Christ. This suggests that faith requires both a willingness to engage with empirical evidence and a willingness to trust in the unseen and unknown.