The Narrow Gate
because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:29 · Berean Standard Bible
They were amazed because Jesus spoke with a direct, personal authority that was completely unlike the religious teachers they were used to.
The usual teachers quoted other teachers; Jesus spoke as if He Himself was the source of truth, because He was.
Matthew, explaining why Jesus was so different.
This is the moment people realized Jesus wasn't just another rabbi. He was something entirely new.
The basis of their amazement: Jesus taught with personal exousia (authority), unlike the scribes who relied on citing rabbinic traditions and precedents.
Scribal teaching characteristically invoked chains of authority ('Rabbi X said in the name of Rabbi Y'); Jesus spoke directly on His own authority.
Matthew, explaining the nature of Jesus' unique authority.
This observation points to Jesus' unique identity: He doesn't teach about God's law as an interpreter but speaks as its Author.
27The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching,
29because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Read all of Matthew 7 — Judge not, ask boldly, and choose the hard road. Jesus closes his great sermon with a storm that separates the wise from the foolish.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad