As an expert in religious studies, I can provide a detailed explanation of the disciple who did not believe Jesus rose from the dead until he had direct personal experience.
According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified, buried, and then rose from the dead on the third day. This event is known as the Resurrection and is a central belief in Christianity. However, not all of Jesus' disciples believed that he had risen from the dead immediately.
The disciple who is most famously associated with doubting the Resurrection is Thomas, also known as "Doubting Thomas". Thomas was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, and he is mentioned several times in the Gospels. However, it is in the Gospel of John that we find the most detailed account of Thomas' doubt.
In John 20:24-29, we read about the first appearance of the resurrected Jesus to his disciples. The disciples were gathered in a locked room, and Jesus suddenly appeared among them. He showed them his hands and his side, which bore the wounds from the crucifixion. The disciples were overjoyed to see Jesus alive, but Thomas was not present at this time.
A week later, when Thomas was with the disciples, they told him that they had seen the risen Jesus. However, Thomas was skeptical and said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it" (John 20:25).
Eight days later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again, this time with Thomas present. Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds, saying, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe" (John 20:27). Thomas responded by proclaiming Jesus as "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).
The story of Doubting Thomas has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some see Thomas as a symbol of doubt and skepticism, while others view him as a model of faith who ultimately came to believe in the Resurrection. The term "doubting Thomas" has even entered the English language as a phrase used to describe someone who requires direct evidence before accepting a claim.
It is important to note that Thomas' doubt was not a rejection of Jesus or his teachings. Rather, it was a request for tangible proof that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. This is a common human response to extraordinary claims, and Thomas' request for evidence can be seen as a reasonable and understandable reaction.
Furthermore, Thomas' doubt ultimately led to a deeper faith. When Jesus appeared to him and invited him to touch his wounds, Thomas was able to experience the reality of the Resurrection for himself. This personal encounter with the risen Jesus transformed Thomas from a skeptic to a believer.
In conclusion, the disciple who did not believe Jesus rose from the dead until he had direct personal experience was Thomas, also known as Doubting Thomas. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, the value of seeking evidence, and the transformative power of personal encounters with the divine.

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A doubting Thomas is a skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience--a reference to the Apostle Thomas, who refused to believe that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to the ten other apostles, until he could see and feel the wounds received by Jesus on the cross.read more >>