Objection · Case 04 · The Trinity
Couldn’t Thomas be speaking past Jesus to the Father, or just exclaiming in astonishment, like “my God!” in English?
One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
Response
The text says Thomas said it to him, and the Greek carries the sense of direct address (my Lord and my God), not an idiom of surprise, which did not exist in first-century Jewish speech and would have been considered blasphemous. Jesus’s response is to bless those who will believe likewise, a strange reply to a misdirected outburst. This is also the climax of a Gospel that opened by calling the Word God, so the confession is structurally intended, not accidental.
About this exhibit
This objection is to Thomas confesses the risen Jesus, John 20:28.
When Thomas sees the risen Jesus he says, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus accepts the confession and pronounces a blessing on others who will believe the same way, rather than correcting him.
Under Claim 03: Jesus receives the worship and prayer that Scripture reserves for God, and he accepts it.