Jn 16:16-20
Amen, amen, I say to you: “Amen,” in its original Hebrew root, implies steadfastness, solidity, and certainty of faith. The Israelites appended it to the end of prayers (Ps 41:14) to indicate full agreement and solemn affirmation. It is used when testifying to an agreement with someone (1 Kgs 1:36), accepting a mission (Jer 11:4-5), and assuming responsibility for an oath and the judgment of God which follows (Nm 5:22). It is a response when blessing God (Neh 8:6), a prayer certain of being heard (Tb 8:4-8; Jdt 15:10).
Amen, amen, I say to you: “Amen,” in its original Hebrew root, implies steadfastness, solidity, and certainty of faith. The Israelites appended it to the end of prayers (Ps 41:14) to indicate full agreement and solemn affirmation. It is used when testifying to an agreement with someone (1 Kgs 1:36), accepting a mission (Jer 11:4-5), and assuming responsibility for an oath and the judgment of God which follows (Nm 5:22). It is a response when blessing God (Neh 8:6), a prayer certain of being heard (Tb 8:4-8; Jdt 15:10).
“Amen” was used by the early Christians in scripture and liturgy. In different translations of the Bible, it is variously rendered as “verily, verily,” “truly, truly” or “in truth, in very truth.” In one version, the phrase John uses here, “Amen, amen, I say to you,” is given as “I tell you the truth.”
Jesus places “amen” at the beginning of his message, as an indication of its importance and trustworthiness. In prophetic fashion, he substitutes it for the Old Testament phrase, “It is Yahweh who speaks.” He uses it to emphasize not only that he is God’s messenger but that he himself is the Word of God. Jesus is God’s Amen. God fulfills his promises through Jesus. With God, there is no yes or no, only yes (2 Cor 1:19-20).