28. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine—rather, "His teaching," for the reference is to the manner of it quite as much as the matter, or rather more so. read more
29. For he taught them as one having authority—The word "one," which our translators have here inserted, only weakens the statement. and not as the scribes—The consciousness of divine authority, as Lawgiver, Expounder and Judge, so beamed through His teaching, that the scribes' teaching could not but appear drivelling in such a light. read more
II. THE AUTHORITY OF THE KING 4:12-7:29Having introduced the King, Matthew next demonstrated the authority of the King. This section includes a narrative introduction to Jesus’ teaching and then His teaching on the subject of His kingdom. read more
5. The response of the audience 7:28-29Each conclusion to each of the five major discourses in Matthew begins with the same formula statement: literally "and it happened" (Gr. kai egeneto) followed by a finite verb. It is, therefore, "a self-conscious stylistic device that establishes a structural turning point." [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 195. Cf. Kingsbury, Matthew as . . ., p. 105.] Each conclusion is also transitional and prepares for the next section.We learn for the first time that even... read more
The Sermon on the Mount (concluded)The connexion of thought in this chapter is less close than in the earlier part of the sermon, and the whole chapter bears the appearance of an appendix of miscellaneous practical maxims, many of which, however, may have really formed part of the sermon. The words about rash judgment, and about a tree being known by its fruit, as well as the striking conclusion, are found also in St. Luke’s sermon.1-5. On the habit of criticising others (Luke 6:37-42). St.... read more
(28) When Jesus had ended these sayings.—The words again point to the conclusion that the Evangelist believed that he had been recording one continuous discourse.The people were astonished at his doctrine.—Better, at his teaching; with greater prominence given, as the words that follow show, to its manner than to its substance. read more
(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... read more
Matthew 7:1 'Next week, it is still but the 10th of April, there comes a new nineteen' to the guillotine; 'Chaumette, Gobel, Hébert's widow, the widow of Camille: these also roll their fated journey; black Death devours them.... For Anaxagoras Chaumette, the sleek head now stripped of its bonnet rouge , what hope is there? Unless Death were "an eternal sleep"? Wretched Anaxagoras, God shall judge thee, not I. Carlyle, French Revolution, Vol. III. book vi. chap. iii. For myself, I no more... read more
Chapter 7The Gospel of the Kingdom("Sermon on the Mount") - Matthew 5:1-48; Matthew 6:1-34; Matthew 7:1-29IT may seem almost heresy to object to the time-honoured title "Sermon on the Mount"; yet, so small has the word "sermon" become, on account of its application to those productions of which there is material for a dozen in single sentences of this great discourse, that there is danger of belittling it by the use of a title which suggests even the remotest relationship to these ephemeral... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 7:28
Matthew 7:28. Astonished at his doctrine— Or, his manner of teaching. See Mar 1:27 for he taught them (Matthew 7:29.) as one having authority. This authority plainly appeared in these words, but I say unto you, &c. and in Matthew 7:22-23 have we not prophesied in thy name, &c. from which it is evident that the Lord Jesus Christ was not a teacher only of God's will, but a law-giver, and invested with a much greater authority than any of the prophets that went before him;—and not as the... read more