17
"Do not cling to me," said Jesus, "for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But take this message to my brethren: `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
18
Mary of Magdala came and brought word to the disciples. "I have seen the Master," she said. And she told them that He had said these things to her.
19
On that same first day of the week, when it was evening and, for fear of the Jews, the doors of the house where the disciples were, were locked, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace be to you!"
20
Having said this He showed them His hands and also His side; and the disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Master.
21
A second time, therefore, He said to them, "Peace be to you! As the Father sent me, I also now send you."
22
Having said this He breathed upon them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23
If you remit the sins of any persons, they remain remitted to them. If you bind fast the sins of any, they remain bound."
24
Thomas, one of the twelve--surnamed `the Twin' --was not among them when Jesus came.
25
So the rest of the disciples told him, "We have seen the Master!" His reply was, "Unless I see in his hands the wound made by the nails and put my finger into the wound, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it."
26
A week later the disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them, when Jesus came--though the doors were locked--and stood in their midst, and said, "Peace be to you."
27
Then He said to Thomas, "Bring your finger here and feel my hands; bring you hand and put it into my side; and do not be ready to disbelieve but to believe."