Matthew Henry Commentary John 20:26-29

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach [hither] thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed." — John 20:26-29 (ASV)

That one day in seven should be religiously observed, was an institution from the beginning. And that, in the kingdom of the Messiah, the first day of the week should be that solemn day, was pointed out, because Christ on that day repeatedly met His disciples in a religious assembly. The religious observance of that day has come down to us through every age of the church.

There is not an unbelieving word on our tongues, nor thought in our minds, that is not known to the Lord Jesus; and He was pleased to accommodate Himself even to Thomas, rather than leave him in his unbelief. We should therefore bear with the weak (Romans 15:1–2). This warning is given to all. If we are faithless, we are Christless and graceless, hopeless and joyless.

Thomas was ashamed of his unbelief, and cried out, My Lord and my God. He spoke with affection, as one who took hold of Christ with all his might: “My Lord and my God.” Sound and sincere believers, though slow and weak, will be graciously accepted by the Lord Jesus. It is the duty of those who read and hear the gospel to believe, to embrace the doctrine of Christ, and that record concerning Him (1 John 5:11).