And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that 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.
- BSB The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who 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 7:28–29And 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?
- Luke 4:32And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
- Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
- Acts 6:10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
- John 7:46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
- Jer 23:29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
- Heb 4:12–13For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- Acts 9:21–22But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
- 2 Cor 4:2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Matt 23:16–24Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
- Mark 7:3–13For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
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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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