The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
Parallel translations
- WEB They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
- KJV And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
- NKJV And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
- NASB And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
- NLT The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
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 crowd is astonished because Jesus teaches with authority, unlike the scribes. He speaks as one whose word carries God's own weight.
Overview
The scribes taught by citing other authorities; Jesus taught with inherent authority, as the Son of God whose word is itself the standard. This amazement is a recurring response to Jesus in Mark and points to His unique identity. His authoritative word will soon be matched by authoritative deeds over demons and disease.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Matt 7:28–29When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching,
- Matt 13:54Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.
- Luke 4:32They were astonished at His teaching, because His message had authority.
- Luke 21:15For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Acts 6:10but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
- John 7:46“Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.
- Jer 23:29“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
- Heb 4:12–13For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Acts 9:21–22All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
- 2 Cor 4:2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Matt 23:16–24Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’
- Mark 7:3–13Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 1:22 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
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