They were astonished at His teachingThe reaction of astonishment indicates that Jesus' teaching was unlike anything the people had heard before. In the context of first-century Judaism, teaching was often based on the traditions of the elders and the interpretations of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus, however, taught with a directness and clarity that was both new and compelling. This astonishment is echoed in other parts of the Gospels, such as
Matthew 7:28-29, where the crowds are amazed because He taught as one having authority, not as their teachers of the law. The Greek word for "astonished" suggests a deep, overwhelming amazement, indicating that His teaching had a profound impact on His listeners.
because His message had authority
The authority of Jesus' message is a central theme in the Gospels. Unlike the scribes, who relied on quoting other authorities, Jesus spoke with inherent authority. This authority is rooted in His identity as the Son of God, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. InIsaiah 61:1-2, the Messiah is described as being anointed to preach good news, which Jesus explicitly claims inLuke 4:18-21. His authority is also demonstrated through His command over unclean spirits and His ability to perform miracles, as seen in the surrounding passages ofLuke 4. This authority is not just in His words but in His actions, confirming His divine nature and mission. The authority of Jesus is a type of the ultimate authority He will exercise in His second coming, as prophesied inRevelation 19:15-16.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. His authority in teaching is the focus of this verse.
2.
The People in the SynagogueThese are the individuals who are listening to Jesus' teaching. Their reaction of astonishment highlights the impact of His authoritative message.
3.
CapernaumThe town where this event takes place. It is significant as a location where Jesus performed many miracles and teachings.
4.
The SynagogueA place of Jewish worship and teaching, where Jesus often taught and engaged with the people.
Teaching Points
The Authority of Jesus' TeachingJesus' teaching was not like that of the scribes or Pharisees; it carried divine authority. This authority comes from His identity as the Son of God, which should compel us to listen and obey His words.
Astonishment and RecognitionThe people's astonishment reflects a recognition of something divine and powerful. We should approach Jesus' teachings with a sense of awe and readiness to be transformed.
The Power of God's WordJesus' authoritative teaching reminds us of the power inherent in God's Word. As believers, we should immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to guide and shape our lives.
Responding to Jesus' AuthorityRecognizing Jesus' authority should lead to a response of faith and obedience. We are called to submit to His teachings and allow them to direct our paths.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 4:32?
2.How does Jesus' authority in Luke 4:32 inspire confidence in His teachings today?
3.What distinguishes Jesus' teaching style from others, as noted in Luke 4:32?
4.How can we apply Jesus' authoritative teaching to our daily decision-making?
5.Which Old Testament prophecies align with Jesus' authoritative teaching in Luke 4:32?
6.How does recognizing Jesus' authority in Luke 4:32 deepen our faith and obedience?
7.How does Luke 4:32 demonstrate Jesus' authority in teaching compared to other religious leaders?
8.Why were people astonished at Jesus' teaching in Luke 4:32?
9.What does Luke 4:32 reveal about the nature of Jesus' authority?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 4?
11.What does the Word of Christ mean?
12.How does Deuteronomy 32:39's portrayal of God as both life-giver and destroyer align or conflict with other biblical texts that emphasize only God's benevolence?
13.In Luke 5:27-28, why would a tax collector immediately abandon a lucrative profession at Jesus' brief invitation with no apparent hesitation?
14.If Jesus and the devil were alone (Matthew 4:1-11), how could this event have been recorded so specifically?What Does Luke 4:32 Mean
They were astonishedThe men and women sitting in the Capernaum synagogue that Sabbath morning had heard many rabbis, yet Luke records, “They were astonished” (Luke 4:32).
• This was no polite interest; the crowd was dumbstruck, jaws dropped in amazement—just as others would be inMark 1:22 andMatthew 7:28–29 when Jesus taught.
• Their reaction affirms that something literally extraordinary had taken place; Scripture presents this event as historical fact, not hyperbole.
• Later, even a Roman official “was astonished at the teaching of the Lord” and believed (Acts 13:12). The pattern is clear: whenever Jesus speaks, honest hearts are left in awe.
at His teachingWhat produced such wonder was not showmanship but the content and clarity of what He said. Moments earlier Jesus had readIsaiah 61 and declared, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18–21).
• He expounded God’s Word with crystal precision, unveiling its true meaning (John 7:16–17).
• Unlike the scribes who piled tradition upon tradition, He spoke directly to the heart, calling listeners to repentance and faith (Matthew 4:17).
• His teaching harmonized perfectly with all prior revelation, underscoring the unity and reliability of Scripture (Psalm 119:160;Luke 24:27).
• Throughout His ministry, crowds marveled because “He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).
because His message had authorityLuke pinpoints the cause of their astonishment: authority—real, divine, unrivaled.
• Origin: The authority was inherent, not borrowed. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18).
• Confirmation: His words were immediately backed by deeds. In the very next verse He commands a demon, and “with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:36).
• Scope: He exercised authority over nature (Mark 4:39), sickness (Luke 5:24–25), sin (Mark 2:5–12), and death itself (John 11:43–44).
• Impact: Even His opponents admitted, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46).
• Continuation: The same authoritative message now works in believers. “When you received the word of God…you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Jesus’ authority validates every promise, warning, and hope He proclaims; we can stake our lives—and eternity—on His words.
summaryLuke 4:32 shows a real congregation stunned because the Son of God taught with undeniable authority. Their astonishment underscores the living power of Scripture, the perfection of Jesus’ teaching, and His unique right to command belief and obedience. The same authoritative voice still speaks through His written Word today, inviting us to hear, trust, and follow Him without hesitation.
(32)
At his doctrine.--Better,
His teaching, as elsewhere. The form and manner was what amazed men.
His word was with power.--The word used is the same as the "authority" ofMatthew 7:29. There was no timid references to the traditions of the elders or thedictum of this or that scribe, such as they were familiar with in the sermons they commonly heard in their synagogues.
Verse 32. -
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. We have here again a picture which gives a general summary of Jesus' life extending over a considerable period. This is the fifth of these pictures of St. Luke. It represents the Master dwelling quietly at Capernaum, in the midst of his disciples, teaching and preaching; on the sabbath days gathering a considerable concourse drawn from the people at large, and generally surprising the listeners with his earnestness, freshness, and ability, which carried conviction into many a heart, Gentile as well as Jew. Although this period of the life of Jesus was signalized by many miracles, it does not seem that his
ordinary preaching and teaching needed any such supernatural testimony to enable it to win its way. St. Luke especially tells us it was with power, and that the crowds heard it amazed and astonished. St. Matthew gives us (
Matthew 7:29) one reason, which helps us to understand something of this success which attended his teaching. It was "not as the scribes." In the Talmud we have many a fair specimen of the sacred instruction of the "schools" in the time of our Lord. Frivolous minutiae, hair-splitting of texts, weary repetition of the sayings of the men of old, questions connected with the exact keeping of the sabbath, with the tithing of mint, anise, and cummin, a singular lack of all dealing with the weightier matters of the Law - justice, judgment, truth - were among the characteristics of the scribes' popular instruction. The practical heart-searching words of Jesus were in strong contrast with the curious but useless themes dwelt on by the official teachers of the day. It was with the thirty-first verse of this chapter that the great Gnostic heretic, Marcion (second century) began his Gospel, which, in the early days of Christianity, had a vast circulation. Marcion, while preferring St. Luke's Gospel, as emanating from St. Paul, before putting it out as the authoritative history to be used by his numerous followers, cut out the earlier chapters of our Gospel, which bore on the birth and infancy of the Lord, commencing here - prefixing, however, a note of time, thus: "In the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius, Jesus went down" (Marcioh probably intended it to be understood
from heaven) "into the town of Galilee named Capernaum."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
They were astonishedἐξεπλήσσοντο(exeplēssonto)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1605:To strike with panic or shock; I amaze, astonish. From ek and plesso; to strike with astonishment.atἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
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.teaching,διδαχῇ(didachē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1322:Teaching, doctrine, what is taught. From didasko; instruction.becauseὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
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.messageλόγος(logos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.hadἦν(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.authority.ἐξουσίᾳ(exousia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849:From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.
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NT Gospels: Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his teaching (Luke Lu Lk) 
