Matthew 7:29
New International Version
because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

New Living Translation
for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

English Standard Version
for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Berean Standard Bible
because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Berean Literal Bible
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

King James Bible
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

New King James Version
for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

New American Standard Bible
for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

NASB 1995
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

NASB 1977
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Legacy Standard Bible
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Amplified Bible
for He was teaching them as one who had authority [to teach entirely of His own volition], and not as their scribes [who relied on others to confirm their authority].

Christian Standard Bible
because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
because He was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

American Standard Version
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Contemporary English Version
He taught them like someone with authority, and not like their teachers of the Law of Moses.

English Revised Version
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Unlike their scribes, he taught them with authority.

Good News Translation
He wasn't like the teachers of the Law; instead, he taught with authority.

International Standard Version
because he was teaching them like a person who had authority, and not like their scribes.

Majority Standard Bible
because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

NET Bible
because he taught them like one who had authority, not like their experts in the law.

New Heart English Bible
for he taught them with authority, and not like their scribes.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Weymouth New Testament
for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their Scribes taught.

World English Bible
for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

Berean Literal Bible
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Young's Literal Translation
for he was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

Smith's Literal Translation
For he was teaching them as having power, and not as the scribes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he was teaching them as one who has authority, and not like their scribes and Pharisees.

New American Bible
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

New Revised Standard Version
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he taught them as one who had the power, and not like their own scribes and Pharisees.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For he was teaching them as one having authority and not as their Scribes and the Pharisees.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Godbey New Testament
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Haweis New Testament
for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mace New Testament
for he taught them, as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Weymouth New Testament
for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their Scribes taught.

Worrell New Testament
for He was teaching them as One having authority, and not as the scribes.

Worsley New Testament
for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Authority of Jesus
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, 29because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Cross References
Mark 1:22
The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Luke 4:32
They were astonished at His teaching, because His message had authority.

John 7:46
“Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.

Matthew 13:54
Coming 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.

Mark 6:2
When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these ideas?” they asked. “What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles?

Luke 2:47
And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

John 7:15
The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”

John 3:2
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”

John 6:68
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.

John 12:49-50
I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”

Acts 4:13
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 13:12
When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 2:4
My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.


Treasury of Scripture

For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

having.

Matthew 5:20,28,32,44
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven…

Matthew 21:23-27
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? …

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

and not.

Matthew 15:1-9
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, …

Matthew 23:2-6,15-24
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: …

Mark 7:5-13
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? …

Jump to Previous
Authority Law Scribes Taught Teachers Teaching
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Authority Law Scribes Taught Teachers Teaching
Matthew 7
1. Do Not Judge
7. Ask, Seek, Knock
13. Enter through the Narrow Gate
15. A Tree and Its Fruit
24. The Wise and the Foolish Builders
28. Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.














because He taught as one who had authority
In the context of first-century Judaism, teaching with authority was a significant departure from the norm. Rabbis typically cited previous teachers or traditions to validate their teachings. Jesus, however, spoke with inherent authority, suggesting a direct connection to divine wisdom. This authority is rooted in His identity as the Son of God, fulfilling prophecies such as those found in Isaiah 9:6-7, which speak of a ruler with divine authority. His authoritative teaching is also a type of the ultimate prophet like Moses, as foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15-19, who would speak God's words directly to the people.

and not as their scribes
Scribes in Jesus' time were experts in the Law, often associated with the Pharisees. They were respected for their knowledge but were known for their reliance on tradition and interpretation rather than original insight. The contrast here highlights the difference between Jesus' divine insight and the human tradition-bound teaching of the scribes. This distinction is further emphasized in passages like Matthew 23, where Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and legalism. Jesus' teaching, in contrast, is characterized by clarity, truth, and a call to genuine righteousness, as seen throughout the Sermon on the Mount.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is concluding His Sermon on the Mount, demonstrating His divine authority in teaching.

2. The Scribes
Jewish religious leaders and teachers of the Law, known for their detailed knowledge of the Scriptures but lacking the divine authority that Jesus possessed.

3. The Sermon on the Mount
A significant teaching event where Jesus delivers profound moral and spiritual lessons, covering Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

4. The Crowd
The audience listening to Jesus, who were astonished by His authoritative teaching, contrasting it with the teachings of the scribes.

5. Galilee
The region where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, a place of significant ministry activity for Jesus.
Teaching Points
Authority of Jesus
Jesus' authority is inherent and divine, unlike the derived authority of the scribes. Recognize and submit to His authority in all areas of life.

Contrast with Human Authority
Human authority, like that of the scribes, is limited and often flawed. Seek wisdom and guidance from Jesus, whose authority is perfect and complete.

Astonishment and Response
The crowd's astonishment should lead us to a deeper reverence and commitment to follow Jesus' teachings.

Living the Sermon
The Sermon on the Mount provides practical guidelines for Christian living. Reflect on how Jesus' authoritative teaching can transform your daily life.

Scriptural Consistency
Jesus' teachings are consistent with the entirety of Scripture. Study the Bible holistically to understand the full scope of His authority.(29) He taught them.--The Greek implies continuity, He was teaching.

As one having authority, and not as the scribes.--Some instances have been already pointed out: the "I say unto you," which is contrasted with what had been said "to them of old time"; the assumption that He, the speaker, was the Head of the divine kingdom and the Judge of quick and dead. More striking still is the entire absence of any reference by name to the teaching of other interpreters of the Law. As a rule, the scribe hardly ever gave his exposition without at least beginning by what had been said by Hillel or by Shammai, by Rabbi Joseph or Rabbi Meir, depending almost or altogether upon what had thus been ruled before, as much as an English lawyer depends on his precedents. In contrast with all this, our Lord fills the people with amazement by speaking to them as One who has a direct message from God. It is the prophet, or rather, perhaps, the king, who speaks, and not the scribe.

Verse 29. - For he taught them. Such was his constant habit (η΅ν... διδάσκων). As one having authority, and not as the scribes. Who, indeed, never claimed personal authority. Jewish teachers lean on the fact of their having received that which they expound. They professed]y sink their own personality in that of those of old time, to whom the teaching was first given (Matthew 5:21). To this our Lord's personal claims stand in sharp contrast. The scribes; Revised Version, their scribes, with the manuscripts; i.e. the scribes to which they were accustomed to listen. Whether the reference is primarily to scribes of the nation generally or only to those of the neighbouring district, is hardly material, for these were representatives of the one class. A few authorities add, "and the Pharisees," which may either be derived from Luke 5:30 or be an independent gloss due to the fact that the Pharisees were looked upon as the typical Jewish teachers.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
because
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

He
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

taught
διδάσκων (didaskōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.

as [one]
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

who had
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

authority,
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

not
οὐχ (ouch)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

scribes.
γραμματεῖς (grammateis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1122: From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 7:29 For he taught them with authority (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 7:28
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