Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

MT7:28 Now, when the Jesus finished these words, it took place that the crowds were astounded at his teaching. MT7:29 For Jesus was teaching them as one possessed of authority and not as their Copyists.

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B.S. Commentary:

Known as the son of a manual labourer people often where surprised to hear so much wisdom coming out of this man‘s mouth. The Nazarene as a sent one from God was the greatest human teacher to ever live because his knowledge was beyond what any human could possibly attain.

When he started his public life there where people who wanted to follow him. Even scribes saw in him a teacher worth following (Matthew 8:19) and several people came to him for advice (Matthew 19:16). Several people became convinced that he was the sent one from God and a rebbe teaching the way of God truthfully. He also was known as one who did not care about anyone’s opinion, for he was not swayed by appearances. (Matthew 22:16).

Jesus considered his listeners when he taught. He spoke to them in a way that the message would get into their hearts, the place that motivates people. He skilfully used illustrations and questions and engaged people of any age.

After listening to the Sermon on the Mount people wondered how this man could say such things. They also questioned if he could have the right to speak in such a manner. More and more people started wondering who this person could be who dared to speak in public with such authority. Some got really annoyed by his manner of speaking and attracting such a crowd. Recall from the Gospel of John the Jewish religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus’ effectiveness with people. So much so, they conspired to arrest him.

Mt 13:54 And coming 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 {1 } mighty works? {1) Gr powers }

Mt 22:33 And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Mr 1:22 And they were astonished at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mr 6:2 And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and {1 } many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such {2 } mighty works wrought by his hands? {1) Some ancient authorities insert the 2) Gr powers }

Mr 11:18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

Lu 4:32 and they were astonished at his teaching; for his word was with authority.

Joh 7:46 The officers answered, Never man so spake.

In the previous articles on the Mountain Sermon we could see that Jesus used unassailable logic (Matthew 7:24-27), meaningful illustrations (Matthew 7:3-5) and object lessons (John 13:2-16) which today are still of value.

Jesus not only used his own words. He got inspired by the Words of his heavenly Father. He quoted from the Hebrew Old Testament over 120 times, and from over 20 of the 39 books. When asked which commandment was the greatest, he summed it up this way, as he quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18,

“³⁷ And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. {1) De 6:5} 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 {1} And a second is like it: {2} You shall love your neighbor as yourself.{1) Or [And a second is like unto it, Thou shalt love etc] 2) Le 19:18} 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”.” (Mt 22:37-40 Updated ASV)

Jesus spoke to them in parables,

“because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand”

and in his time it was as difficult for people as it is today because many did or do not want to hear the truth and prefer to clinch to human teachings or church doctrines.

Jesus did not need any human teaching, like the scribes quoted others to lend authority to their teachings. For him God’s Word was saying enough and should be clear enough for people to understand, if they would be willing to hear and to open their hearts.

Jesus authority questioned

Jesus always was humble, willing to listen to others and not using hurting words or vile language. With his example and manner of speaking he showed to have a worthy authority (which he had received from God). Today there are still lots of Christians who do not understand that a man of flesh and blood could receive authority from God and therefore they say Jesus has to be God.

“And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt 28:18 ASV)

“All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal [him].” (Mt 11:27 ASV)

First lower than angels, he followed God’s Word and always kept doing the Will of God, putting his own will aside. Two years after Jesus had given his first sermon on that mountain he as a forerunner entered for man in God’s Reign and was received up into heaven to sit down at the right hand of God where he was made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and received full authority over the earth. (Hebrews 4:14 + 6:20)

“who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1Pe 3:22 ASV)

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Preceding articles

The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave

Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 7: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love

Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment

Matthew 7:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #1 The Narrow Gate and the way to destruction

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #3 Matthew 7:21-23 The ones Jesus never knew

Matthew 7:13-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #4 Matthew 7:24-27 – Conclusion

Authority from the One God to one mediator between God and men

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Additional reading

1. Entrance of a king to question our position #2 Who do we want to see and to be
2. Hearing words to accept
3. Priest, scribes and others with authority
4. Gain Christ, trusting Jehovah
5. Witnesses of Christ and of his gospel
6. The Mountain: Radical Obedience

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Further reading

1. Teachings of Jesus
2. Category Archives: Teachings of Jesus: Introduction; Teachings on the Great Commission; Jesus’ Teachings on Character
3. The Gospel According to Matthew: The Principles of the King
4. But because You said so…2
5. Truth For Today
6. Authority Must Flow Down From On High
7. Hearing the king (Matthew 7:28-29)
8. Who is Jesus to You?
9. What’s Demanded of Me?
10. Good Teaching, Jesus!
11. Writer claims Tebow’s prayers contradict teachings of Jesus; and why that’s ridiculous
12. Hypocrites in church isn’t the issue. Faithless pseudo-Christians are the issue.

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