Tomáš: Jeho role a význam v Janově evangeliu

The purpose of the paper – Thomas: His Role and Importance in the Gospel of John – is to offer an interpretation of the texts which are about Thomas, who belongs to the circle of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Thomas is mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles only in the list of Jesus’ disciples (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). By contrast, in the Gospel of John his name, somewhat surprisingly, appears altogether seven times. We meet Thomas in four different places (John 11:16; 14:5–7; 20:24–29; 21:2) which are important in the gospel narrative. The detailed exegesis will help us to outline the main characteristics of the portrait of Thomas and to point out his role and importance in the Gospel of John. Thomas is introduced as a disciple of the circle of the Twelve, who understands Jesus entirely in earthly categories and who is able to look only with difficulty beyond his death (John 11:16; 14:5). The divine dimension of Jesus, which is unavailable to Thomas, is opened to him by the resurrected Jesus himself. Thomas, who is characterized by doubts and scepticism at an encounter with the resurrected Jesus, makes a thoroughgoing personal confession (John 20:28), the highest Christological profession in the Gospel of John. Finally, Thomas’ presence in the circle of seven disciples in John 21:2, who represent the Church in missionary engagement, makes obvious that there are also those in the Church who are characterized by doubts and scepticism, who ask questions and are reluctant to believe.