What was the crowd's reaction to Jesus' authority in Matthew 9:8? Setting the Scene • After forgiving and healing the paralytic, Jesus proves His divine right to pardon sin (Matthew 9:2-7). • The miracle is public—no one can deny what they have just seen. The Crowd’s Immediate Reaction Matthew 9:8: “When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” • Filled with awe — startling, reverent amazement, not casual surprise. • Glorified God — spontaneous worship erupts; the focus shifts from the healed man to the Lord. • Recognized authority — they acknowledge a power beyond ordinary human ability. What “Filled with Awe” Really Means • The Greek conveys a sense of holy fear—a trembling respect for divine activity. • Comparable moments: ‑ Matthew 7:28-29 — crowds amazed because Jesus “taught as one having authority.” ‑ Luke 5:26 — after another healing, “astonishment seized them all, and they glorified God.” • Their awe is worshipful, not skeptical; they see God intervening directly. Glorifying God: Recognizing the Source of Authority • The crowd instinctively turns praise heavenward, affirming Psalm 115:1. • They admit that only God could authorize such a miracle (cf. John 3:2). • Their worship demonstrates that true recognition of Jesus’ works leads to honoring the Father (John 5:23). Authority Given to Men: The Incarnational Surprise • Jesus, fully man yet fully God, exercises divine prerogatives on earth. • “Given” underscores the Father’s endorsement of the Son (Matthew 28:18). • It hints at the coming extension of authority to Christ’s followers (Matthew 10:1; Acts 3:6). Scripture Echoes: Similar Responses Elsewhere • Mark 2:12 — “They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” • Luke 7:16 — crowds witness resurrection power: “Fear seized them all, and they glorified God.” • Acts 4:21 — after a notable healing, “all the people were glorifying God for what had happened.” These passages form a consistent pattern: divine authority displayed → public awe → God glorified. Living Today in Light of Their Reaction • Stand in reverent awe of Christ’s power to forgive and heal. • Join the crowd’s response—glorify God whenever His authority is revealed in Scripture and in life. • Rest in confidence that the same Jesus still possesses—and shares—His authority for salvation and transformation (Hebrews 13:8). |
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