Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Matthew 8:8-10 – Amen
Amen. Commonly it is found at the end of statements (although the common understanding it means “the end” is not true). Jesus often sprinkled His language with Amen as seen in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus even did what was unusual and not common by beginning sentences with Amen (often translated “truly” or “verily”). According to one source (Listening to the Language of the Bible, Lois Tverberg, p.102), it is possible we have on occasion misdirected the direction of Jesus’ “amen.” For example, after hearing the centurion tell Jesus he did not need to come to His house because they both were men of authority (Mt.8:8-9), Jesus says “(Amen): I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith!” (Mt.8:10). We take the “amen” as describing what Jesus is about to say about the centurion. But according to this source, Jesus is directing “amen” to what the centurion said about Jesus. I don’t know if this really changes anything, but I found it interesting.
Comments