King James Bible
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness."
Jesus uses the double "verily" (amen, amen) to emphasize the absolute truth and importance of what follows. This solemn formula appears frequently in John's Gospel when Jesus makes critical theological statements, here addressing Nicodemus directly. The plural "we" likely refers to Jesus and his disciples, or possibly the divine Trinity, claiming firsthand knowledge of heavenly realities. This contrasts with the Pharisees' theoretical knowledge, as Jesus asserts experiential authority about spiritual matters based on direct observation. Jesus confronts the religious leaders' rejection of divine testimony, shifting from singular "thee" (Nicodemus) to plural "ye" (Jewish authorities). This highlights the tragic irony that those most versed in Scripture refuse to accept the very truths it points toward.