The Doubting of Thomas (John 20:19–29). Thomas was absent when Christ first appeared to the disciples after his death and showed them his wounds. When told about it afterwards Thomas refused to believe until he had seen for himself. Christ appeared again when Thomas was with them and said to him, `Reach your finger here: see my hands; reach your hand here and put it into my side.' Thomas and one or two other apostles gaze in wonder as Christ holds out a hand. Or Thomas is shown touching with his finger the wound in Christ's side. The theme, continuously popular from the 13th cent., fulfilled what was once one of the main functions of religious art, to reinforce articles of Christian doctrine.