•This is a phrase used only by Jesus to testify to the certainty and importance of His words; in Mt, Mk, and Lk it is literally Amen, I say to you; in Jn it is literally Amen, amen, I say to you.
•The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English as servant or bond servant; the HCSB translates this word as slave, not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire’s inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.
f13:16 Or lord

Cross references

In other versions

Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

“Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.

I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.

Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

Public Domain