BibleWord.ai› Bible› John› Chapter 20› Verse 29

John 20:29

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 20:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.
John 20:29 — American Standard Version

Context — John 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.
27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach [hither] thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.
30Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book:
31but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.
← John 20:28John 20:30 →
← Full Chapter 20 John Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, etc.] The word Thomas is omitted in the Alexandrian copy, and in Beza’s ancient copy, and in some others, and in the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions. Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; which carries in it a tacit and gentle reproof for his unbelief, and suggests, that if he had not seen, he would not have believed; but is not so harsh as if that had been expressed; and which the Jews were wont to do in a severe manner f798. “One said to R. Jochanan, expound Rabbi; for it is beautiful for thee to expound: for as thou sayest, so I see: he replied to him, Raka, tnmah al tyar al almla, “if thou seest not, thou wilt not believe”.” Christ here allows…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed--words of measured commendation, but of indirect and doubtless painfully--felt rebuke: that is, 'Thou hast indeed believed; it is well: it is only on the evidence of thy senses, and after peremptorily refusing all evidence short of that.' blessed they that have not seen, and yet have believed--"Wonderful indeed and rich in blessing for us who have not seen Him, is this closing word of the Gospel" [ALFORD].”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Because thou hast seen me - Because you have looked upon my body, and seen the proofs that I am the same Saviour that was crucified. Jesus here approves the faith of Thomas, but more highly commends the faith of those who should believe without having seen. Blessed - Happy, or worthy of the divine approbation. The word has here the force of the comparative degree, signifying that they would be in some respects more blessed than Thomas. They would evince higher faith. That have not seen ... - Those who should be convinced by the testimony of the apostles, and by the influences of the Spirit. They would evince stronger faith. All faith is of things not seen; and God blesses those most who most…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:29 Jesus points to the generations of Christians who, through the testimony of others, would believe without seeing.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“blessed: Joh 20:8, Joh 4:48; Luk 1:45; Co2 5:7; Heb 11:1, Heb 11:27, Heb 11:39; Pe1 1:8 John 20:30”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read John 20 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification