Discovery BoxMatthew 5:26 
Context5:26 I tell you the truth, 1 you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny! 2
Matthew 6:29
Context6:29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!
Matthew 11:9
Context11:9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more 3 than a prophet.
Matthew 12:36
Context12:36 I 4 tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak.
Matthew 22:17
Context22:17 Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right 5 to pay taxes 6 to Caesar 7 or not?”
Matthew 24:34
Context24:34 I tell you the truth, 8 this generation 9 will not pass away until all these things take place.
Matthew 26:21
Context26:21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth, 10 one of you will betray me.” 11
Matthew 28:8
Context28:8 So 12 they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
1 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
2 tn Here the English word “penny” is used as opposed to the parallel in Luke 12:59 where “cent” appears since the Greek word there is different and refers to a different but similar coin.
sn The penny here was a quadrans, a Roman copper coin worth 1/64 of a denarius (L&N 6.78). The parallel passage in Luke 12:59 mentions the lepton, equal to one-half of a quadrans and thus the smallest coin available.
3 tn John the Baptist is “more” because he introduces the one (Jesus) who brings the new era. The term is neuter, but may be understood as masculine in this context (BDAG 806 s.v. περισσότερος b).
4 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
5 tn Or “lawful,” that is, in accordance with God’s divine law. On the syntax of ἔξεστιν (exestin) with an infinitive and accusative, see BDF §409.3.
6 tn According to L&N 57.180 the term κῆνσος (khnso") was borrowed from Latin and referred to a poll tax, a tax paid by each adult male to the Roman government.
sn This question concerning taxes was specifically designed to trap Jesus. If he answered yes, then his opponents could publicly discredit him as a sympathizer with Rome. If he answered no, then they could go to the Roman governor and accuse Jesus of rebellion.
7 tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).
8 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
9 sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (v. 30), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.
10 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
11 tn Or “will hand me over.”
12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s instructions to tell the disciples.
