What is the meaning of Matthew 7:28? When Jesus had finished • Matthew regularly marks turning points with this phrase, underscoring that Jesus completed a full, intentional message (cf. Matthew 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). • The close of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) shows Jesus presenting God’s standards without omission, just as He promised to “fulfill” the Law (Matthew 5:17). • Completion invites response. Like Moses finishing the law-giving on Sinai (Deuteronomy 31:24), Jesus now expects listeners to choose obedience built on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27). saying these things • “These things” gathers every instruction from the sermon—beatitudes, kingdom ethics, prayer, warnings, and the call to enter through the narrow gate. • His seamless teaching covers every sphere of life, echoing the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and leaving no room for selective hearing (James 1:22-25). • The phrase reminds us that revelation is verbal and clear; God speaks so His people can understand and live (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). the crowds were astonished • Astonishment is the natural reaction when ordinary people meet divine authority (Mark 1:27; Luke 4:36). • Their amazement contrasts with the complacency of religious leaders who often resisted Him (Matthew 12:14; 21:45-46). • The emotion signals that truth had pierced their conscience, much like Peter’s sermon “cut to the heart” at Pentecost (Acts 2:37). • Yet astonishment alone is not faith; later multitudes will still choose Barabbas (Matthew 27:20-23). Hearing must lead to doing (Matthew 7:21). at His teaching • Jesus taught “as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:29). Unlike teachers who cited earlier rabbis, He spoke in His own name: “But I tell you” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32). • Authority flows from His identity as the Son (John 5:19-24). Even temple guards confessed, “Never has anyone spoken like this man!” (John 7:46). • The content is both gracious and uncompromising, offering righteousness that surpasses the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20) while warning of judgment for those who ignore His words (Matthew 7:26-27). • His teaching remains the foundation for the church’s faith and practice (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Timothy 6:3). summary Matthew 7:28 records the decisive moment after the Sermon on the Mount: Jesus has fully delivered God’s authoritative word, and the crowds stand stunned by its power. The verse highlights the finality of His message, the comprehensive nature of His instruction, the heart-piercing impact on listeners, and the unmatched authority of the Teacher. Genuine discipleship moves from amazement to obedient action, building lives on the rock of everything Jesus has just said. |
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