Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 20:28 - 20:28

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 20:28 - 20:28


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28. Not merely the sight of Jesus but the conviction of His omniscience overwhelms S. Thomas, as it did Nathanael (Joh 1:50), and the Samaritan woman (Joh 4:29). His faith rises with a bound to its full height in the cry of adoration, with which the Gospel closes.

ὁ κύριός μ. κ. ὁ θεός μ. For the nominatives comp. Joh 19:3; Mat 11:26; Luk 8:54; Luk 12:32. Most unnatural is the Unitarian view, that these words are an expression of astonishment addressed to God. Against this are (1) the plain and conclusive εἶπεν αὐτῷ; (2) ὁ κύριός μου, which is manifestly addressed to Christ (comp. Joh 20:13); (3) the fact that this confession of faith forms a climax and conclusion to the whole Gospel. The words are rightly considered as an impassioned declaration on the part of a devoted but (in the better sense of the term) sceptical Apostle of his conviction, not merely that his Risen Lord stood before him, but that this Lord was also his God. And it must be noted that Christ does not correct His Apostle for this avowal, any more than He corrected the Jews for supposing that He claimed to be ἴσον τῷ θεῷ (Joh 5:18); rather He accepts and approves this confession of belief in His Divinity.