And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Parallel translations
- WEB The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How does this man know letters, having never been educated?”
- BSB The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”
- NKJV And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
- NASB The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this Man become learned, not having been educated?”
- NLT The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Jews marveled at Jesus' learning, since He had no formal rabbinic training. His depth of understanding could not be explained by ordinary education.
Overview
The authorities recognized Jesus' command of the Scriptures but were puzzled because He had not studied under a recognized rabbi. Their astonishment unwittingly points to the divine source of His teaching, which He explains in the next verses. Rather than crediting human schooling, Jesus' wisdom flows from His unique relationship with the Father who sent Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Luke 4:22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
- Matt 7:28–29And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
- Matt 13:54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
- Acts 26:24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
- Luke 2:47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
- Matt 22:22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
- John 7:46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
- Amos 7:14–15Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
- Mark 6:2–3And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
- Acts 2:7–13And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
- Acts 4:11–12This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
- Matt 22:33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
- John 1:19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 7:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.