21And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. (Mark 1:21-28)
In verses 16 through 20 Jesus recruited four fishermen to follow him. In verses 21 through 28, we see them travel together to a more populous city and enter the synagogue where Jesus begins to teach. It was customary for synagogue leaders to invite visiting teachers to teach while they were in town; but this instance was different.
Astonished
22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
The word translated ‘astonished’ is built with two Greek words: ‘out’ + ‘strike.’ They were struck! They were knocked out! Why? Was it because of his oratorical skill? His clever catchphrases? His sense of humor? The massive marketing campaign surrounding his lesson? The emotionally charged music that boomed before he took the platform? No. There was something else: “He taught as one who had authority.”
There are two common meanings for the word ‘authority.’ There is the expert, the authority on the subject. And there is the owner, the authority figure. If you know a lot about cars, you are something of an authority on the subject. If you own the car dealership, you are the authority figure.
In this passage, we see that Jesus is both.
Authority on the Subject
Jesus was not merely authoritative. The people in the synagogue would have been used to that. They heard the scribes teach all the time. The scribes’ daily occupation was hand-copying and explaining the Hebrew scriptures.
Not was Jesus merely more authoritative than the scribes. He was authoritative in a whole new way. “He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” His teaching was nothing like the scribes! The authority was different, not just by degree, but by substance.
The scribes only had borrowed authority. Jesus had inherent authority. The scribes quoted scripture. Jesus spoke scripture. And it was astonishing.
Authority Figure
23And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
Jesus was not only authoritative in an intellectual sense. He was authoritative in a jurisdictional sense. He spoke to that unclean spirit like he owned it and the people were ‘amazed’ to the point of shutting down (that’s the Greek word’s flavor).
As you continue to read Mark you’ll see that Jesus showed such ownership over people’s physical bodies, food, water and the weather as well.
Here’s the bottom line: Jesus is absolutely unique in that he is authoritative in a way no other human has ever been nor will be.
Some Implications
Jesus is the authority on everything. He isn’t more authoritative than your pastor or favorite Bible teacher. He is authoritative in a whole different way. He is the author. The best any other Bible teacher can do is quote him and guide others to him.
Since Jesus is the authority on the subject of God and life, we must learn from him—reading, studying and meditating on his teachings.
Since Jesus is the authority figure above all authority figures, we must submit to him—applying our heart, soul, mind and strength to loving God; loving our neighbor as ourselves and making disciples of all nations.
Discussion Starters
- Who are the Bible teachers and preachers who have most influenced you as a Christian?
- Read the passage together.
- What is the most ‘astonished’ you have ever been in response to Jesus’ teaching?
- If these people were stuck so severely by Jesus’ authority, why aren’t we struck in the same way every time we encounter his teaching?
- Can we credit the same authority to all the words of scripture as we do specifically to Jesus’ teaching as recorded in the gospels? What are some things the Bible says about itself that can help us answer this question?
- What would your life look like if you learned and submitted to Jesus as the authority?
- What would Dulin’s Grove Church look like if every member lived this way? What might change?
- Take some time to pray together.
