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Sunset and Reservoir - Pixabay Stock Photo - John 6:47
"Amen, amen I say unto you: He that believeth in me, hath everlasting life." (John 6:47 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA))
"Whenever we read in the text of Scripture our Lord giving a statement that is prefaced by the double 'amen,' it is a time to pay close attention." -- R.C. Sproul (Ref. 1)
Consider. When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, began a statement with "Truly, truly," what did he mean? What is special about the expression, "Truly, truly" or "Verily, verily"?
As we will see towards the end of the lesson, when Jesus introduced a statement with "Truly, truly," he was calling attention to the importance of the words which follow.
As we will see towards the end of the lesson, when Jesus introduced a statement with "Truly, truly," he was calling attention to the importance of the words which follow.
Definition. The English words truly, truly are translated from the Greek words amén amén (Ref. 2). American theologian R.C. Sproul referred to these words as the "double amen" (Ref. 1, Ref. 3). The Greek word amén means truly, and is also translated as verily, most assuredly, and so be it (Ref. 2). The Hebrew word amen occurs frequently in the Old Testament and similarly means sure, so be it, and truth (Ref. 4, Deuteronomy 27:15, Nehemiah 8:6, Psalm 41:13).
In modern usage, the word amen is typically used at the end of a prayer (Ref. 5). In the New Testament, the writers frequently closed their letters with Amén (Romans 16:27, 2 Timothy 4:22 KJV, 1 Peter 5:14 KJV, 1 John 5:21 KJV, Jude 24-25, Revelation 22:21). "Placing the word amen at the end of a statement is a way of accepting, agreeing, or endorsing what came before" (Ref. 5).
In modern usage, the word amen is typically used at the end of a prayer (Ref. 5). In the New Testament, the writers frequently closed their letters with Amén (Romans 16:27, 2 Timothy 4:22 KJV, 1 Peter 5:14 KJV, 1 John 5:21 KJV, Jude 24-25, Revelation 22:21). "Placing the word amen at the end of a statement is a way of accepting, agreeing, or endorsing what came before" (Ref. 5).
Jesus frequently said "Amen" ("Truly") to preface a statement (as compared to saying "Amen" at the end). "Leading off with amen not only implies that what follows is true but also that the person making the statement has firsthand knowledge and authority about it" (Ref. 5, italics added).
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus used a single Amen (Truly, Verily) to introduce over 50 statements of truth (Ref. 6 below, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). Consider these references: Matthew 5:18, Matthew 18:12-13, Matthew 25:11-12, Mark 9:41, Mark 11:23, Luke 18:17. To the criminal on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus used a single Amen (Truly, Verily) to introduce over 50 statements of truth (Ref. 6 below, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). Consider these references: Matthew 5:18, Matthew 18:12-13, Matthew 25:11-12, Mark 9:41, Mark 11:23, Luke 18:17. To the criminal on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
When Jesus says "Truly, Truly" (double Amen) at the beginning of a statement, he is telling us that the following words are extremely important. When Jesus begins a teaching and says, "Amen, amen, I say to you," our listening ears should be fine-tuned to take note instantly of what our Lord is going to say, for it is of the utmost importance (Ref. 1).
Consider the importance of these examples where Jesus introduced his statements with "Truly, truly" (double Amen):
John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 5:24 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."
John 6:47 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."
The "Truly, truly" (double Amen) expressions of Jesus occur only in the Gospel of John. In John, Jesus provides 25 statements that begin with "Truly, truly." Click here to see all 25 of Jesus' "Truly, truly" statements.
Consider the importance of these examples where Jesus introduced his statements with "Truly, truly" (double Amen):
John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 5:24 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."
John 6:47 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."
The "Truly, truly" (double Amen) expressions of Jesus occur only in the Gospel of John. In John, Jesus provides 25 statements that begin with "Truly, truly." Click here to see all 25 of Jesus' "Truly, truly" statements.
"Whenever we read in the text of Scripture our Lord giving a statement that is prefaced by the double 'amen,' it is a time to pay close attention and be ready to give our response with a double amen to it. He says "amen" to indicate truth; we say it to receive truth and to submit to it." -- R.C. Sproul (Ref. 1)
Apply. I encourage you to read (re-read) the 25 "Truly, Truly" Statements of Jesus. For which statements are you most thankful? Which statements are the most challenging? Thank Jesus for his words of truth.
References
1. https://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-does-amen-mean/
2. https://biblehub.com/greek/281.htm
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._C._Sproul
4. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/543.htm
5. https://www.gotquestions.org/verily-verily.html
6. James Strong, "The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible," Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995 - note, based on the King James Version of the Bible
1. https://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-does-amen-mean/
2. https://biblehub.com/greek/281.htm
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._C._Sproul
4. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/543.htm
5. https://www.gotquestions.org/verily-verily.html
6. James Strong, "The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible," Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995 - note, based on the King James Version of the Bible
Or just in John?
Thank you for your questions. According to my Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the double "Verily, verily" statements of Jesus are only in John. The first double "Verily, verily" statement in the New Testament is in John 1:51. According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Matthew, Mark, and Luke use a single "Verily." The first single "verily" statement of Jesus in the New Testament is Matthew 5:18. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus does begin many statements with a single "Verily." The first example is Matthew 5:26.
Whitney
Question: Why the use of a double amen in John’s gospel when the same story told in Matthew, Mark and Luke use the single amen? i.e. Jesus predicting Peter’s denial before the rooster crows - in John’s Gospel it is Truly, truly (NAS) but Matthew, Mark and Luke use the single amen?
https://biblehub.com/greek/strongs_281.htm
The way to find this type of information in the future is to go to Biblehub.com, enter the scripture reference (such as Matthew 5:18) which contains the English word you are interested in searching. Then click on "interlinear" to see the words for that verse in Greek (NT) or Hebrew (OT), and click on the Strongs Concordance number, in this case, 281, for "Amen." Then you will see the list of all the verses which contain this word.
Thank you for your question.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples on the evening before his crucifixion. He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one believing in Me, the works that I do, also he will do” (John 14:12a, Berean Literal Bible). In the same way that Jesus’ works on earth – healing the sick, raising the dead, etc. – validated his message and demonstrated that the Father was in him and he in the Father (John 14:10), believers in Christ – all believers, not just the Apostles – will now do the same works, demonstrating that they are in Christ and Christ is in them (Colossians 1:27). With Jesus’ departure, he now gives the Holy Spirit to be with us, direct us, and empower us (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-13, Acts 1:8).
In the second part of verse 12, Jesus said, “And he will do greater than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12b, Berean Literal Bible). Most English translations add the word “works” after the word “greater.” Note that Jesus going to the Father (his exaltation to the right hand of the Father – Ephesians 1:18-23) makes possible believers in Christ doing the same works as Jesus in John 14:12a as well as “greater than these” in John 14:12b. When Jesus was on earth as both God and man (Colossians 2:9), the works done by him were done in the geographic area where he traveled and ministered. Now that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father and has sent the Holy Spirit to be with and empower believers, the works of Jesus have been greatly expanded as Jesus has sent his disciples into all the world (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-49, Acts 1:8). Jesus’ promise that believers would do “greater than these” or “greater works than these” was fulfilled beginning at Pentecost and continues to this day and continues into the future. Note that on the that day of Pentecost, the power of the Holy Spirit inspired Peter’s preaching, and three thousand souls were saved (Acts 2:21, 40-41).
Blessings to you in Christ,
Whitney