The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Thomas the Apostle
d. AD 72 (trad., Mylapore) · Apostle of the Twelve · “The Twin” · Galilee → Parthia & India (trad.)
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Thomas the Apostle was
Didymus, “the Twin,” the apostle of the dark question and the highest confession: ready to die with Jesus at Bethany (“Let us also go, that we may die with him”), demanding to touch the wounds, and answering the risen Christ with the New Testament’s plainest ascription of deity — “My Lord and my God.” The earliest allotment-tradition (Origen) gives him Parthia; the Acts of Thomas (3rd c., Edessa) and the living tradition of the Mar Thoma Christians carry him to the Indus kingdom of Gundaphar — a king coins have since made historical — and to martyrdom by spear at Mylapore, AD 72. His relics’ translation to Edessa on July 3 fixed his feast.
Common questions
When did Thomas die?
Thomas the Apostle is dated d. AD 72 (trad., Mylapore) in the archive, which places Thomas in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130).
Which early sources mention Thomas?
Thomas the Apostle is named in 4 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from John, Eusebius of Caesarea and Egeria the pilgrim. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Thomas from?
The archive associates Thomas the Apostle with Galilee, Parthia & India (trad.). The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Thomas’ contemporaries?
The archive links Thomas the Apostle to 5 other figures, including John the Apostle, Bartholomew the Apostle, Matthew the Apostle and Thaddaeus of Edessa (Addai). Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (4)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History III.1
c. AD 325Thomas, as tradition relates, obtained by lot Parthia.Eusebius of Caesarea · III.1 · source text
Ecclesiastical History I.13 (Thomas sends Thaddeus to Edessa)
c. AD 325Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, under divine impulse sent Thaddeus to Edessa.Eusebius of Caesarea · Ecclesiastical History I.13 · source text
Pilgrimage of Egeria 17 (the memorial of St Thomas at Edessa)
c. AD 384We arrived at Edessa in the Name of Christ our God, and, on our arrival, we straightway repaired to the church and memorial of saint Thomas.Egeria the pilgrim · Pilgrimage 17 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
- John the Apostle
- Bartholomew the Apostle
- Matthew the Apostle
- Thaddaeus of Edessa (Addai)
- Nathanael of Cana
Named alongside Thomas in the sources
This figure is placed with Thomas by the record — in a council roll, a martyr-act, a letter or a history — without Thomas naming them in return.
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
Place
Places served
The 10 places the sources put Thomas, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route. Every stop here is marked with the company: the source places this figure’s company there rather than naming the figure at it.
- 1GalileeWith him through the towns of Galileewith the companyMark 1:39; Matthew 4:23
- 2NazarethCame into his own country, and his disciples followed himwith the companyMark 6:1
- 3CapernaumThe house at Capernaum, where he taught the Twelvewith the companyMark 9:33
- 4BethsaidaWithdrew there with the Twelve; the five thousand fedwith the companyLuke 9:10
- 5TyreWithdrew into its borders; the disciples came to himwith the companyMark 7:24; Matthew 15:23
- 6SidonReturned by Sidon to the sea of Galileewith the companyMark 7:31
- 7Caesarea PhilippiOn the road he asked the disciples who men said he waswith the companyMark 8:27
- 8JerichoWent out of Jericho with his discipleswith the companyMark 10:46
- 9BethanyLodged there with the Twelve through Passion weekwith the companyMark 11:11–12
- 10JerusalemEntered the temple with the Twelve; the upper roomwith the companyMark 11:11; 14:17