How do tomb discovery and later appearances lead into Thomas’s response?

Early on the first day of the week, while dark, Mary Magdalen finds the sepulchre’s stone taken away. She runs to Peter and the loved disciple, saying the Lord has been taken and they do not know where He is laid. The two run together; the other outruns Peter, stoops and sees linen cloths but does not enter. Peter follows and enters, seeing linen and the head napkin apart, wrapped in one place. The other enters, sees and believes. They have not yet known the scripture that He must rise from the dead. They return home.

Mary stands outside weeping, stoops and sees two angels in white at the head and feet where the body had lain. Asked why she weeps, she says her Lord was taken and she does not know where. Turning back she sees Jesus standing but does not know Him. He asks why she weeps and whom she seeks. Thinking Him the gardener, she asks whether He took Him and requests the place so she can take Him away. He calls Mary; she turns and says Rabboni, explained as Master. He tells her not to touch Him because He has not yet ascended, but to tell His brethren He ascends to His Father and theirs, His God and theirs. She tells the disciples she has seen the Lord and His words.

Late that day the disciples gather with doors shut for fear of the Jews. Jesus stands among them with peace greeting. The edition argues that the power bringing His whole body through doors can make it really present in the sacrament, with both above comprehension. He shows hands and side; they are glad at seeing Him. Repeating peace, He sends them as the Father sent Him, breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Ghost. Sins they forgive are forgiven; those retained are retained. The edition explains this as the commission by which church pastors absolve repentant sinners on confession.

Thomas, one of the twelve called Didymus, was absent. The others tell him they saw the Lord. He says he will not believe unless he sees nail prints, puts his finger in their place and his hand in the side. After eight days the disciples are within again, Thomas included, doors shut. Jesus stands among them and gives peace. He invites Thomas’s finger to see His hands and his hand to His side, telling him to be believing rather than faithless. Thomas answers My Lord and my God. Jesus says he believed because he saw Him and blesses those who have not seen and believed. Whether Thomas actually touches is not narrated. Jesus did many other signs before disciples not written here; these are written for belief that He is Christ, Son of God, and life in His name.