Which apostle is famously called 'Doubting Thomas'?

Which apostle is famously called “Doubting Thomas”? The answer is Thomas.

Thomas was one of Jesus’s Twelve Apostles and is also called Didymus, a Greek name meaning “twin.” His reputation comes from the Gospel of John, where he initially refuses to believe the other apostles’ report that Jesus had risen and appeared to them. Thomas says he must see and touch the wounds before believing.

When Jesus later appears to the gathered disciples, he invites Thomas to examine the wounds. Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God,” making him a witness to one of the Gospel’s central resurrection scenes. The passage does not explicitly say that Thomas actually touched Jesus, despite the common artistic portrayal.

The phrase “doubting Thomas” now describes anyone who demands direct evidence before accepting a claim. That modern expression can oversimplify the biblical character: Thomas is also portrayed as devoted and courageous, including when he says the disciples should accompany Jesus even if it means dying with him. Later Christian tradition connects Thomas with missionary work in India, though those details come from tradition rather than the New Testament narrative.