Introduction: When Lord Jesus Says “Truly”
All the words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Bible are the very Words of God Almighty—eternal, infallible, and life‑giving. Yet in the Holy Gospels, Our Lord at certain moments solemnly draws special attention to His words by beginning with the phrase:
“Truly, I say to you”
(Greek: Amen, legō hymin; in John: Amen, Amen, legō hymin)
In Jewish tradition, Amen was spoken by the listener in response to truth. Lord Jesus alone places Amen at the beginning of His statements, revealing His Divine authority, and calling every hearer to deep attention, faith, and obedience.
Below is a carefully prepared comprehensive listing of the “Truly / Amen” sayings of Jesus Christ, quoted in full from the Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (RSV‑CE), arranged Gospel by Gospel as I think These Holy Versus need extra attention.
The Gospel According to Matthew (RSV‑CE)
Matthew 5:18
“For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.”
Matthew 6:2
“Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:5
“Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:16
“Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 8:10
“Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
Matthew 10:15
“Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”
Matthew 11:11
“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Matthew 16:28
“Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”
Matthew 18:3
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:18
“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 19:23
“Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:28
“Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Matthew 21:31
“Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”
Matthew 24:34
“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.”
Matthew 25:40
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
Matthew 25:45
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.”
The Gospel According to Mark (RSV‑CE)
Mark 3:28
“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”
Mark 8:12
“Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”
Mark 9:1
“Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
Mark 9:41
“Truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward.”
Mark 10:15
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Mark 10:29–30
“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time… and in the age to come eternal life.”
Mark 12:43
“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.”
Mark 13:30
“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.”
Mark 14:18
“Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”
Mark 14:30
“Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
The Gospel According to Luke (RSV‑CE)
Luke 4:24
“Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country.”
Luke 12:37
“Truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them.”
Luke 18:17
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Luke 18:29–30
“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Luke 21:3
“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.”
Luke 21:32
“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place.”
Luke 23:43
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The Gospel According to John (RSV‑CE)
Note: John uniquely preserves the double Amen—“Truly, truly, I say to you”—a solemn form used only by Lord Jesus, highlighting profound Divine Revelation.
John 1:51
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
John 3:3
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
John 6:47
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
John 6:53
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of man and drink His Blood, you have no life in you.”
John 8:51
“Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps My Word, he will never see death.”
John 10:1
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.”
John 12:24
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
John 13:16
“Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.”
John 14:12
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.”
John 16:23
“Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name.”
Conclusion: “Amen” Demands a Response
Whenever Lord Jesus says “Truly, I say to you,” He is not merely emphasizing speech—He is revealing Divine truth that demands a response. These sayings are milestones of revelation, calling humanity to faith, repentance, humility, Eucharistic communion, and trust in eternal life.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
May every reader hear these words with reverence and respond with faith:
Amen.
