Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 11:16

"Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him." — John 11:16 (ASV)

Thomas’s comment marks his first appearance in this book. John’s gospel does not contain a complete list of the Twelve, though they are mentioned as a group on two occasions (6:67, 70–71; 20:24). Generally they are presented only as individuals and once in the Epilogue as a smaller group (21:1–2). Thomas appears four times: here, once in the discourse in the upper room (14:5), once after the Resurrection (20:24–29), and finally with the group described in the Epilogue (21:1). His attitude here is paradoxical: “Let us also go, that we may die with him [Jesus].” Thomas expected that Jesus would be seized and executed and that his disciples would suffer with him. Notwithstanding this unhappy prospect, Thomas’s loyalty is revealed by his readiness to share Jesus’ peril. The skepticism that he later evinced regarding the Resurrection was probably prompted by grief over Jesus’ death rather than by disillusionment because of apparent failure.