I. THE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST WAS ASTONISHING.
"The people were astonished at His teaching." Why? In comparing this instance with similar ones in His life, we conclude that ...
1) His doctrine surpassed what was expected of His young age. He was now only 30 years old, barely an adult in His culture. But even at the tender age of twelve years, He was once "found ... in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers" (Luke 2:46f).
2) His doctrine surpassed what was expected of His humble background. He had come from an insignificant family in an obscure place (see John 1:46). They would therefore say of Him, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:54-56). And He had not attended a rabbinical school, nor sat at the feet of a scholar, nor been approved by the Sanhedrin. They would therefore say of Him, "How does this Man know letters [literally learning, especially regarding Holy Scriptures and their interpretation], having never studied?" (John 7:15).
3) His doctrine was so profound yet so simply stated. In this short sermon He dealt with profound aspects and truths of God's kingdom, yet in words which even children can comprehend. It is no wonder that on another occasion, soldiers sent to arrest Him returned empty-handed saying, "No man ever spoke like this Man" (John 7:46).
But most importantly, His hearers were astonished because ...
II. THE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST WAS AUTHORITATIVE.
"He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
1) His authority was His own, not obtained from other sources. Scribes were the lawyers of their day. Like today's lawyers, they derived their authority from the writings of others: Moses, the prophets, and other scribes. Relying on the authority of other scribes was indeed fallacious, as one of them "boasted that every verse of the Bible was capable of six hundred thousand different interpretations." The authority of Jesus Christ was His own.
i) He therefore repeatedly corrected the scribes with the formula "You have heard that it was said .... But I say to you ...." (5:21&22, 27&28, 31&32, 33&34, 38&39, 43&44).
ii) And whereas even God's prophets would preface their sayings with "Thus says the LORD: ...", He prefaced His with "Assuredly, I say to you" (5:17f).
2) His authority was divine. He spoke not as a mere mortal, as were the scribes. Rather, He spoke as God! For example:
i) "He opened His mouth" (5:2: meaning to speak with purpose [as in Acts 8:35; 10:34; 18:14] and beatified whom He would (5:3-12); and even equated being "persecute[d] ... for My sake" with being "persecuted for righteousness' sake" (5:11,10).
ii) He acknowledged that He Himself would "fulfill" all that was required and prophesied in the Old Testament (5:17) – a feat beyond the ability and power of any mere mortal.
iii) He declared that He Himself will be the final authority as to who will receive, and who will be denied, entrance into the kingdom of heaven at the final judgment (7:21-23; cp. John 5:22f).
Nevertheless, many of His hearers, astonished at His teaching and convinced of His divine authority, did not believe in Him. Do you?
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