In The Urantia Book, as in some versions of The New Testament, Jesus often began a sentence with the phrase, “Verily, verily, I say to you…” At the time, this had unique meaning, and Jesus used it often to underscore the importance of his words.
Verily means in truth, truly, or truthfully. The word is derived from the Middle English (14th century) verray, meaning true or real and is used in the Bible as a translation of the word amen which, in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Ecclesiastical Greek, means so be it or in truth.
Today, and in the time of Jesus, the word amen is usually added to the end of a prayer or a statement as a confirmation or an agreement. Indeed, this was its traditional use in Hebrew before Jesus’ time. But Jesus used the word before he made a statement. The website Got Questions explains it this way:
Jesus was fond of saying, “Amen,” before making a statement or giving a message. When used in this way, the word amen has slightly different implications. 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. Saying, “Verily, verily,” before making a statement is a strong claim to truth presented from an almost audacious attitude. Speaking on worldly or secular matters, saying, “Verily, verily,” would imply that what follows is that person’s own original idea.
So, when Jesus leads off with the words verily, verily he is not merely saying, “Believe me, this is true.” He is actually saying, “I know this is true firsthand.” Since many of these comments are on heavenly, spiritual, or godly issues, Jesus’ use of verily, verily is part of his consistent claim of divinity. Jesus is not merely aware of these truths: He is the One who originated them!
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but rather he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” 140:1.4
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, when the Father’s will is your law, you are hardly in the kingdom. But when the Father’s will becomes truly your will, then are you in very truth in the kingdom because the kingdom has thereby become an established experience in you.” 141:2.2
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, Nicodemus, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 142:6.4
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, he who rules his own self is greater than he who captures a city. Self-mastery is the measure of man’s moral nature and the indicator of his spiritual development.” 143:2.3
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is but small in the kingdom of heaven is greater because he has been born of the spirit and knows that he has become a son of God.” 144:8.4
- [Speaking of the Roman soldier] “I marvel at the belief of the gentile. Verily, verily, I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” 147:1.3
- “Verily, verily, I say to you: He who hears the gospel of the kingdom and believes in this teaching of sonship with God, has eternal life; already are such believers passing from judgment and death to light and life.” 147:3.3
- “Verily, verily, I say to many who sit before me this day, you are confronted with the necessity of choosing which way you will go; and I say to you, as Joshua said to your forefathers, ‘choose you this day whom you will serve.’ Today, many of you stand at the parting of the ways.” 153:2.5
- “Let me utter a solemn warning to you who would presume, with your eyes open and with premeditated malice, knowingly to ascribe the works of God to the doings of devils! Verily, verily, I say to you, all your sins shall be forgiven, even all of your blasphemies, but whosoever shall blaspheme against God with deliberation and wicked intention shall never obtain forgiveness.” 153:4.3
- “Verily, verily, I tell you that the Father’s kingdom shall be taken by the gentiles if the children of Abraham are not minded to show faith enough to enter therein.” 156:1.8
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, except you turn about and become more like this child, you will make little progress in the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself and become as this little one, the same shall become greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 158:8.1
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, whosoever receives not the kingdom of God as a little child shall hardly enter therein to grow up to the full stature of spiritual manhood.” 167:6.1
- “Verily, verily, I say to you who believe the gospel that, if a man will keep this word of truth alive in his heart, he shall never taste death.” 162:7.5
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 162:7.6
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the bond servant of sin.” 162:7.2
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, there is no man who has left wealth, home, wife, brethren, parents, or children for my sake and for the sake of the kingdom of heaven who shall not receive manifold more in this world, perhaps with some persecutions and, in the world to come, eternal life. But many who are first shall be last, while the last shall often be first.” 163:3.4
- “Verily, verily, I say to you, friends and enemies, I am the true shepherd; I know my own and my own know me. I will not flee in the face of danger. I will finish this service of the completion of my Father’s will, and I will not forsake the flock which the Father has entrusted to my keeping.” 165:2.8
- “You see these stones and this massive temple; verily, verily, I say to you: In the days soon to come there shall not be left one stone upon another. They shall all be thrown down.” 176:0.1 [The Romans destroyed Jerusalem 40 years later, in AD 70]
- “Verily, verily, I say to you: A servant is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than he who sends him. You have seen the way of service in my life among you, and blessed are you who will have the gracious courage so to serve. But why are you so slow to learn that the secret of greatness in the spiritual kingdom is not like the methods of power in the material world?” 179:3.8
- “Peter, verily, verily, I say to you, this night the cock will not crow until you have denied me three or four times. And thus, what you have failed to learn from peaceful association with me, you will learn through much trouble and many sorrows.” 181:2.29
- [The thief on the cross said to Jesus] “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And then Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say to you today, you shall sometime be with me in Paradise.” 187:4.1
Mark Blackham has a doctorate in anthropology/ archaeology. He has served the Urantia Association International in Communications, Publications, and Website Management. And for several years, has been a contributor to course development at Urantia University Institute.