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ἀμήν (amēn)

amēn

amen

G0281 · Greek · New Testament · 126 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
126 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The Greek word amēn carries the sense of firmness and trustworthiness, functioning as an affirmation that something is true or will come to pass. Borrowed from Hebrew, it appears in two primary contexts within the New Testament: as a response of agreement at the end of prayers or praises, and as a solemn prefix to Jesus’ statements. In congregational settings, such as the instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:16, it serves as the congregation’s way of making the prayer their own.

A distinctive feature of this word is its exclusive use by Jesus in the Gospels to introduce weighty truths, often translated as "truly" or "verily." He frequently doubles it as amēn amēn, a Hebrew idiom for emphasis found throughout John’s Gospel, such as in John 3:3 and 5:19. This repetition signals that what follows is not merely an opinion but a definitive declaration of divine reality.

Even in its rare adjectival use in Revelation 3:14, where Jesus is called "the Amen," the core idea remains: He is the faithful and true embodiment of God’s promises. The word bridges the gap between human prayer and divine assurance, marking statements with an authority that demands a response of trust.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word amen carries a sense of firmness and trustworthiness, functioning as an affirmation that something is true or will come to pass. Borrowed from Hebrew, it appears in two primary contexts within the New Testament: as a response of agreement at the end of prayers or praises, and as a solemn prefix to Jesus’ statements. In congregational settings, such as the instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:16, it serves as the congregation’s way of making the prayer their own.

A distinctive feature of this word is its exclusive use by Jesus in the Gospels to introduce weighty truths, often translated as 'truly' or 'verily.' He frequently doubles it as amen amen, a Hebrew idiom for emphasis found throughout John’s Gospel, such as in John 3:3 and 5:19. This repetition signals that what follows is not merely an opinion but a definitive declaration of divine reality.

Even in its rare adjectival use in Revelation 3:14, where Jesus is called 'the Amen,' the core idea remains: He is the faithful and true embodiment of God’s promises. The word bridges the gap between human prayer and divine assurance, marking statements with an authority that demands a response of trust.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 126 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Amen110×
  • Amen.38×
  • Amen!2×
  • Amen..1×
  • Amen,1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἀμὴν86×
  • ἀμήν.¶24×
  • Ἀμὴν18×
  • ἀμήν.13×
  • ἀμήν4×
  • ἀμήν¶3×
  • ἀμήν,2×
  • ἀμήν.¶]]1×
  • ἀμήν.]]¶1×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 6:13
    Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

    This verse shows amen as the congregational response to the Lord's Prayer, allowing believers to personally affirm the petition for God's kingdom and deliverance from evil.

  • Matthew 5:18
    For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

    Here Jesus uses the emphatic 'most certainly' (amen) to underscore the enduring validity of Scripture, assuring that not even the smallest detail will pass away until all is fulfilled.

  • Matthew 24:34
    Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.

    Jesus employs this solemn affirmation to guarantee the certainty of His prophetic words regarding the end times, providing a foundation for hope amidst uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does amen mean in the Bible?

Amen means 'so be it' or 'truly,' expressing firm agreement and trustworthiness. It serves as an affirmation that a statement is true or a prayer is sincerely desired.

Why does Jesus say 'amen, amen'?

Jesus often doubles the word for emphasis, signaling that what follows is a definitive declaration of divine reality rather than a mere opinion. This idiom highlights the absolute authority and truth of His teachings.

How should I use amen in my own prayers?

You can use it to affirm your agreement with God's will or to conclude your prayers, making them your own. It is a way of expressing trust that God hears and will act according to His promises.

Every Occurrence (126 verses across 24 books)

Matthew 33 verses
Matthew 5:18

For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke…

Matthew 5:26

Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 6:2

Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues…

Matthew 6:5

“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the…

Matthew 6:13

Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory…

Matthew 6:16

“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be…

Matthew 8:10

When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a…

Matthew 10:15

Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for…

Matthew 10:23

But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone…

Matthew 10:42

Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…

Matthew 11:11

Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the…

Matthew 13:17

For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t…

Matthew 16:28

Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…

Matthew 17:20

He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard…

Matthew 18:3

and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the…

Matthew 18:13

If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone…

Matthew 18:18

Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you…

Matthew 18:19

Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…

Matthew 19:23

Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with…

Matthew 19:28

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man…

Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done…

Matthew 21:31

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell…

Matthew 23:36

Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Matthew 24:2

But he answered them, “You see all of these things, don’t you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here…

Matthew 24:34

Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.

Matthew 24:47

Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has.

Matthew 25:12

But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

Matthew 25:40

“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,…

Matthew 25:45

“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these,…

Matthew 26:13

Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also…

Matthew 26:21

As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

Matthew 26:34

Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Matthew 28:20

teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”…

Mark 16 verses
Luke 8 verses
John 26 verses
Romans 5 verses
I Corinthians 2 verses
II Corinthians 1 verse
Galatians 2 verses
Ephesians 2 verses
Philippians 2 verses
Colossians 1 verse
I Thessalonians 2 verses
II Thessalonians 1 verse
I Timothy 2 verses
II Timothy 2 verses
Titus 1 verse
Philemon 1 verse
Hebrews 2 verses
I Peter 3 verses
II Peter 1 verse
I John 1 verse
II John 1 verse
Jude 1 verse
Revelation of John 10 verses