The eighth day (KJV) is inclusive of the previous Sunday when Jesus had first appeared to the disciples. This is the following Sunday evening. Why did Jesus wait so long before being with them again? One reason is probably that He wanted them to know that things were now different from what they were before His death and He now belonged to the spiritual world and would no longer be constantly with them as before. This was sort of a weaning process of them from Him.

We are not told where He was these 8 days, nor are we told where He was all of those 40 days He resided on the earth from His resurrection to His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:3), but there are similarities between this time and the time He was in the desert unseen by men, but tempted by Satan (Matt 4:1-11).

Acts 1:3  After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Matthew 4:1-11  Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”  Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”  Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”  Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

One wonders how this week went for Thomas as compared to how it went for the other ten disciples. What is notable is that Thomas is certain to be there this time. He may have missed the first opportunity, but he didn’t miss this one. There are two reactions we may make when we miss opportunities: we may pout and withdraw from other opportunities, or we may seek them all the more. Thomas did the latter (and better).

Note that Thomas is with the other disciples. They have not ostracized him because he did not have the same experience they did. Instead they accept him as one of their own.

Note also that Jesus did not come to Thomas alone, but came in the company of the other disciples. Not only does this reinforce the need of Christian fellowship, but practically, there was a greater number of witnesses this way to the things that were going to happen.

Exactly as in His first appearance to the disciples, Jesus miraculously appears in their midst though the doors are locked and He gives the same greeting. He seems to go out of His way to make everything exactly as before (20:19). Why? He is again easing their fears by repeating their previous experience. What we are familiar with is always more comfortable than the unknown, and Jesus is tenderly taking care of his own.

John 20:19  On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”