Page 107 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

having authority, and not as the scribes”(Mark 1:22). He is careful to mention Jesus’ authority

even though he did not give an account of the content of Jesus’ preaching. When he recounts

Jesus’ casting out of demon, Mark unveils the authority of Jesus through the lips of the

astonished spectators: “They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is

this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey

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him’” (Mark 1:27). Mark skillfully draws the readers’ attention to the authority of Jesus.

Luke also presents Jesus as authoritative. Jesus was only a carpenter’s son from Nazareth, yet he

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spoke with the authority of a prophet. Luke records the people’s amazement and confusion:

“All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They

said, ‘Is not this Joseph's son?’” (Luke 4: 22). Immediately after the pericope of the Nazareth

synagogue, Luke indicates the authority of Jesus: “He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee,

and was teaching them on the Sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke

with authority” (Luke 4:31-32). At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew

emphasizes the authority of Jesus by adding the crowd’s response: “Now when Jesus had

finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as

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one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt. 7:28-29).

3 Peter J. Tomson, ‘If This be from Heaven . . .’: Jesus and the New Testament Authors in
their Relationship to Judaism (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press Ltd., 2001), 126.

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Luke 4:16-32
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In the continuing report of the miracle stories (Matt. 8:1-9:38), Matthew attempts to
unfold Jesus’ authority not only in word but also in deed. Hatchett, “The Authority,” 194-5. He
categorizes Jesus’ authority as “spiritual authority” (Matt. 8:1-22), “authority over nature” (Matt.
8:23-9:17), “authority over sin” (Matt. 9:9-17), and authority over death, disease, and demon
(Matt. 9:18-34).