The apostle known for doubting Jesus’ resurrection was Thomas. In the Gospel of John, Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples after the crucifixion. When they told him they had seen the risen Jesus, Thomas said he would not believe unless he saw the wounds and touched them himself.
A later appearance gives Thomas that opportunity. Jesus shows him the wounds, and Thomas responds with the confession, “My Lord and my God.” The episode appears in John 20:24–29 and is the source of the expression “doubting Thomas,” now used for anyone who withholds belief until receiving direct evidence.
Thomas is also called Didymus, a name meaning “Twin,” in the Gospel of John. He is not portrayed only as hesitant: elsewhere, he shows courage by being willing to accompany Jesus to Judea, and he asks direct questions when he does not understand Jesus’ teaching. The resurrection episode is found in John, not in the three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Christian art has frequently depicted Thomas examining Jesus’ wounds, especially in scenes known as the Incredulity of Saint Thomas.