John 20:19-30

International Children’s Bible

Jesus Appears to His Followers

¹⁹It was the first day of the week. That evening Jesus’ followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jews. Then Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. His followers were very happy when they saw the Lord.

²¹Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, I now send you.” ²²After he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven. If you don’t forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

²⁴Thomas (called Didymus) was not with the followers when Jesus came. Thomas was 1 of the 12. ²⁵The other followers told Thomas, “We saw the Lord.”

But Thomas said, “I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands. And I will not believe until I put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side.”

²⁶A week later the followers were in the house again. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you see me. Those who believe without seeing me will be truly happy.”