Jesus' Sayings Starting with "You Have Heard" and "But I Tell You"
Jesus' teachings often included a distinctive rhetorical pattern, particularly in the Gospel of Matthew, where he would state, "You have heard that it was said..." followed by "But I tell you..." This structure served to contrast traditional interpretations of the Law with his own authoritative declarations [6]. This pattern is part of Jesus' broader prophetic role, as he was recognized as a prophet who revealed God's will and declared his doctrine to be from the Father [2].
The phrase "But I tell you" (or "But I say") emphasizes Jesus' authority and often introduces a deeper, more demanding understanding of God's commands than what was commonly practiced or taught by the religious leaders of his time [6]. For example, in Matthew 18:22, Jesus uses "I don't tell you" to introduce a teaching on forgiveness, extending it far beyond conventional limits: "I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven" [1]. This highlights a recurring theme in his ministry, where he frequently offered new interpretations or expansions on existing religious understanding.
The use of "I tell you the truth" (Greek: amēn amēn) in John's Gospel also underscores the weight and certainty of Jesus' words [8]. This doubled amēn (translated as "verily, verily" or "truly, truly") is a unique feature in John's account, signaling the importance of the statement that follows [8]. This emphasis on his own words aligns with the understanding that Jesus alone knows and reveals God [2].
This authoritative teaching style was not without precedent, as Jewish doctors in disputation frequently used the phrase "but I say" when forming or answering objections [4]. However, Jesus' use of the phrase often presented a radical reinterpretation rather than a mere clarification. His teachings were sometimes met with resistance, as some listeners, despite hearing his words, remained unable to understand due to their "perverse will" [5]. Conversely, those who genuinely sought to understand and follow his teachings were considered blessed, having the privilege to see and hear things that many prophets and righteous people of old had desired but had not experienced [7]. Jesus' declarations, therefore, served to distinguish those who truly heard and received God's word from those who remained spiritually deaf [3, 5].
Sources
- Matthew “Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. -- Matthew 18:22”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the Prophet — Foretold -- De 18:15,18; Isa 52:7; Na 1:15. Anointed with the Holy Spirit -- Isa 42:1; 61:1; Lu 4:18; Joh 3:34. Alone knows and reveals God -- Mt 11:27; Joh 3:2,13,34; 17:6,14,26; Heb 1:1,2. Declared his doctrine to be that of the Father -- Joh 8:26,28; 12:49,50; 14:10,24; 15:15; 17:8,16. Preached the gospel, and worked miracles -- Mt 4:23; 11:5; Lu 4:43. Foretold things to come -- Mt 24:3-35; Lu 19:41,44. Faithful to his trust -- Lu 4:43; Joh 17:8; Heb 3:2; Re 1:5; 3:14. Abounded in wisdom -- Lu 2:40,47,52; Col 2:3. Mighty in deed and word -- M”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ear, The — The organ of hearing -- Job 13:1; 29:11. Capable of trying and distinguishing words -- Job 12:11. God Made. -- Pr 20:12. Planted. -- Ps 94:9. Opens. -- Job 33:16; 36:10. Judicially closed. -- Isa 6:10; Mt 13:15. Christ opens -- Isa 35:5; 43:8,10. Instruction received through -- Isa 30:21. That hears and receives the word of God, blessed -- Ex 15:26; Mt 13:16. Should Seek knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Be bowed down to instructions. -- Pr 5:1. Be incline to wisdom. -- Pr 2:2. Be given to the law of God. -- Isa 1:10. Receive the word of God. -- Jer 9:20. Hear and o”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 10:18: But I say, have they not heard?.... , "but I say", is a phrase frequently used by the Jewish doctors in disputation, either in forming or answering objections. The Ethiopic version confines these words to Israel, and reads, "have not Israel heard?" whereas they are to be understood both of Jews and Gentiles; the question refers to each, and the answer is, yes, verily: which the Arabic renders just the reverse, "no", or "not at all, notwithstanding their sound went into all the earth"; and so makes this an aggravation of their stupidity, and obstinate rejection of t”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 6:9: Hear . . . indeed--Hebrew, "In hearing hear," that is, Though ye hear the prophet's warnings again and again, ye are doomed, because of your perverse will (Joh 7:17), not to understand. Light enough is given in revelation to guide those sincerely seeking to know, in order that they may do, God's will; darkness enough is left to confound the wilfully blind (Isa 43:8). So in Jesus' use of parables (Mat 13:14). see . . . indeed--rather, "though ye see again and again," yet, &c.”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 6:26: But I say unto you which hear,.... The Ethiopic version adds "me", and the generality of interpreters understand the passage of the hearers of Christ, as distinct from the disciples, or together with them, and of the better sort of them; and of such as had ears to hear, and who heard with a desire of understanding, and of putting into practice what they heard; but I rather think it regards the hearers of the Scribes and Pharisees, then present, who had heard and received the traditions of the elders, to which the following rules of Christ are opposed; and to each of whi”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:17: For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired--rather, "coveted." to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them--Not only were the disciples blessed above the blinded just spoken of, but favored above the most honored and the best that lived under the old economy, who had but glimpses of the things of the new kingdom, just sufficient to kindle in them desires not to be fulfilled to any in their day. In Luk 10:23-24, where the same saying is re”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 1:51: 1:51 I tell you the truth (Greek amēn amēn): Jesus often used this expression to emphasize what he was about to say. In John’s Gospel, the Greek word amēn is always doubled. • you will all see heaven open: Jesus made the comparison with Jacob explicit (see study note on 1:47; see Gen 28:10-22). Like Jacob, Nathanael would see God at work. Jesus himself is the new Bethel (“house of God,” Gen 28:19), the place where God lives. • Son of Man: See study note on John 9:35; see also Dan 7:13-14; Mark 8:31. • John the apostle used several names for Jesus (Son of God, Son of”