The name “Thomas” has an interesting etymology and is often associated with the Apostle Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. The name itself is of Aramaic origin, and in Aramaic, it is often interpreted as meaning “twin.” This interpretation has led to various traditions and beliefs suggesting that Thomas might have had a twin brother, Jesus of Nazareth. The etymology of “Thomas” as “twin” is connected to the Aramaic word “t’om’a,” which means “twin.”
The etymology of “Thomas” as “twin” is connected to the Aramaic word “t’om’a,” which means “twin.” It’s worth noting that the New Testament of the Bible, where the Apostle Thomas is mentioned, was written in Greek.
In Greek, the equivalent name is “Didymos,” which also means “twin.” Both names, Thomas and Didymos, point to the idea of twinning or being a twin. In the late nineteenth century British archaeologists Grenfell and Hunt[1] were excavating an ancient trash heap near Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, when a young boy discovered a fragment of papyrus that included sayings of Jesus.
The discovery made headlines all over the world: a new, previously unknown early Christian gospel had been uncovered. Other versions of text would be unearthed, and the reassembled document has come to be known as the Gospel of Thomas. The book begins with the lines “These are the secret words that the living Jesus spoke, and the twin, Judas Thomas, wrote them down.”
Some Christians have no problem with the idea that Jesus had siblings, but is it possible that he had a twin? The Gospel of Thomas is dated to between 60 and 140 CE, making it as old as the canonical gospels[2]. The Gospel of John also refers to the apostle Thomas as ‘the Twin’ (didymos) three times (11:16, 20:24, and 21:2) but never explains what exactly Jesus means. Some explain this twin as a reference to a deeper philosophical concept, that of the divine double.
The divine double is the idea that as individuals our “selves” are not all that we are. There is another divine self, a double, if you will, that never descends from the transcendent realm into the material human one but that we can discover, if we try. There are a variety of different ways to describe this “double” we might call it a twin, companion, or alter-ego. So do we need to add another baby to all our nativity scenes?
Footnotes
- Grenfell and Hunt refer to Bernard P. Grenfell and Arthur S. Hunt, pioneering archaeologists and papyrologists who made significant contributions to the discovery and exploration of ancient manuscripts, particularly in Egypt. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Grenfell and Hunt led expeditions to Oxyrhynchus, an archaeological site in Egypt, where they uncovered a vast treasure trove of papyrus documents dating from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Their discoveries included literary works, religious texts, and administrative documents, providing invaluable insights into the everyday life, culture, and thought of ancient societies. Grenfell and Hunt’s meticulous work laid the foundation for the Oxyrhynchus Papyri collection, which continues to be a crucial resource for scholars studying the classical world. Their collaboration significantly advanced the field of papyrology and illuminated the historical landscape of antiquity. [Back]
- The canonical gospels refer to the four New Testament books that are widely accepted as authoritative and inspired accounts of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ within Christian tradition. These gospels are the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Luke, and the Gospel of John. Each gospel presents a distinct perspective on the life of Jesus, emphasizing different aspects of his ministry and teachings. Matthew focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the authoritative teacher; Mark emphasizes Jesus as the suffering servant; Luke highlights Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized and includes extensive details about his birth; and John emphasizes Jesus as the divine Word and Son of God. Together, these gospels provide a comprehensive narrative of Jesus’ life and teachings, forming a central foundation for Christian belief. The acceptance of these four gospels as canonical was established in the early centuries of Christianity based on their apostolic origin, widespread use in worship, and theological coherence with the emerging Christian doctrine. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- “Substitution hypothesis” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substitution_hypothesis
- “Did Jesus Have a Twin?” https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-jesus-have-a-twin
- “Did Jesus Have a Twin?” https://bibletolife.com/resources/questions/did-jesus-have-a-twin/
