The expression “verily, verily”—or, “truly, truly”—occurs twenty-five times in the Gospel of John, all spoken by the Lord Jesus to give emphasis to what He says. We would like to consider a few of the places where this expression occurs.

The first chapter of the Gospel of John is full of the glories of our blessed Lord. Notice that the chapter begins presenting Him as the eternal Word, the One who was with God and was God. The chapter ends with the Lord Jesus speaking of Himself as the Son of Man.

As the Word, He is the full expression of God, the only One who can fully present who God is, for He is Himself God. We are reminded in verse 18, “No one has seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.”

The term Son of Man reminds us that He, the eternal Word, the only-begotten Son, has become Man. “The Word became flesh.” This name also is connected with His sufferings and His coming glory. The Lord Jesus repeatedly told His disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many things (Mk. 8:31). Following His suffering will come His glory. Daniel 7 speaks of the Son of Man coming to the Ancient of Days and receiving “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom.” It is in this context that the Lord speaks this “verily, verily” to Nathanael. In that coming day of His glory, heaven will be opened to earth, and the angels of God will ascend and descend upon the Son of Man in order to serve Him. Notice that it is said they will ascend first. This reminds us that our blessed Lord will have the supreme place in that day. Then the angels will descend to earth to carry out His bidding.