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    Verily

    ἀμήν (Amēn)

    Truly, certainly — Jesus' unique way of authenticating His own words

    Greek
    Pronunciation: ah-MAYN
    Quick Answer

    When Jesus said 'Verily' (or 'Verily, verily'), He was using the word 'Amen' at the beginning of His statements — a unique practice that declared His inherent authority to speak divine truth.

    "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." — John 3:3 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    John 3:3

    “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
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    John 5:24

    “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
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    Matthew 5:18

    “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
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    Jesus' Signature Phrase

    The phrase 'Verily I say unto you' appears dozens of times in the Gospels and is unique to Jesus. No rabbi, prophet, or teacher in Jewish history used 'Amen' to introduce their own words. Others used Amen to affirm what someone else had said (including God); Jesus used it to authenticate what He was about to say. This subtle difference carried enormous implications — Jesus was claiming the same authority as God Himself.

    The Double Amen

    In John's Gospel, Jesus consistently uses a doubled form: 'Verily, verily' (Amen, amen). This appears 25 times in John and always introduces a statement of profound theological significance — new birth (3:3), resurrection (5:24-25), the bread of life (6:47), and the Good Shepherd (10:1). The doubling intensifies the authority and solemnity of the declaration, signaling that what follows is of supreme importance.

    Authority Beyond Prophecy

    Old Testament prophets introduced their messages with 'Thus saith the LORD' — pointing to God as the source. Jesus said 'Verily I say unto you' — pointing to Himself as the source. He did not merely relay God's message; He spoke with intrinsic divine authority. This is why the crowds 'were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes' (Matthew 7:28-29).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many times does Jesus say 'Verily' in the Bible?

    Jesus uses 'Verily I say unto you' (or similar) approximately 74 times in the four Gospels. In John's Gospel, it always appears as the doubled 'Verily, verily' (25 times). The other Gospels use the single form.

    Is 'Verily' the same word as 'Amen'?

    Yes. The KJV translates the Greek 'amēn' as 'verily' when Jesus uses it at the beginning of a statement, and as 'amen' when it appears at the end. The underlying word is identical — it is Jesus' unique use of it that distinguishes it.

    Why is the double Amen significant?

    In Jewish literary tradition, repetition was used for emphasis and intensification. Jesus' 'Amen, amen' (Verily, verily) doubled the weight of His declaration, marking what followed as absolutely certain and supremely important. It also set His teaching apart from all other teachers.

    What is the Greek word for "Verily" in the Bible?

    ἀμήν (Amēn), pronounced "ah-MAYN." It means truly, certainly — jesus' unique way of authenticating his own words. It is the word behind "Verily" in the New Testament, for example in John 3:3.

    Related Words

    Amen
    Gospel
    Faith

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