Luke 4:32
in Luke 4They were astonished at His teaching, because His message had authority.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
and they were astonished at his teaching; for his word was with authority.
KJV
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
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This verse in Luke 4
Commentary
14 notes on this verse" "They were mightily astonished at His doctrine; for He was teaching as one who had power." And again: "Therefore, my people shall know my name in that day.
This site's exposition
Then He went down to Capernaum
on Luke 4:31-32
Capernaum, the lakeside town, becomes His base after the rejection at Nazareth. The same word met wrath at Nazareth and astonishment at Capernaum.
This site's exposition
His message had authority
Capernaum hears the authority Nazareth refused. Adam Clarke says Jesus spoke in the tone of a new Lawgiver and taught in the form of commands. Bede adds that a teacher's word carries authority when he does what he teaches.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
A commentator
Cyril of AlexandriaCommentary on the Gospel of Luke, Sermon 12 · Written before 444.
proposed
Those whom argument cannot bring to the sure knowledge of Him Who by nature and in truth is God and Lord, may perhaps be won by miracles unto a docile obedience. And therefore usefully, or rather necessarily, He oftentimes completes His lessons by proceeding to the performance of some mighty work. For the inhabitants of Judaea were unready to believe, and slighted the words of those who called them to salvation, and especially the people of Capernaum had this character: for which reason the Saviour reproved them, saying, "And thou Capernaum, that art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down unto hell." But although He knows them to be both disobedient, and hard of heart, nevertheless He visits them as a most excellent physician would those who were suffering under a very dangerous disease, and endeavours to rid them of their malady. For He says Himself, that "those who are in health, have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." He taught therefore in their synagogues with great freedom of speech: for this He had foretold by the voice of Isaiah, saying, "I have not spoken in secret, nor in a dark place of the earth." The holy apostles moreover He even commanded to publish their words concerning Him with full boldness of speech, saying, "What I tell you in darkness, speak ye in the light: and what ye have heard (whispered) into the ear, proclaim upon the housetops." On the Sabbath also, when they were at leisure from labour, He conversed with them. They therefore wondered at the power of His teaching, and at the greatness of His authority: "For the word, it says, was with authority;" for He used not flatteries, but urged them to salvation. […]
For although He knew that they were disobedient and hard of heart, He nevertheless visits them, as a good Physician tries to heal those who are suffering from a mortal disease. But He taught them boldly in the synagogues, as Esaias saith, I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth. (Isa. 45:19.) On the sabbath day also He disputed with them, because they were at leisure. They wondered therefore at the mightiness of His teaching, His virtue, and His power, as it follows, And they were astonished at his doctrine, for his word was with power. That is, not soothing, but urging and exciting them to seek salvation. Now the Jews supposed Christ to be one of the saints or prophets. But in order that they might esteem Him higher, He passes beyond the prophetic limits. For he said not, "Thus saith the Lord," but being the Master of the Law, He uttered things which were above the Law, changing the letter to the truth, and the figures to the spiritual meaning.
But "they were all astonished at His doctrine." Of course they were; "for, says (St. Luke), "His word was with power -not because He taught in opposition to the law and the prophets.
The Medieval Church2 voices
And they were amazed at his teaching, because his word was with authority. The word of the teacher is made with authority when he performs the things he teaches. For he who destroys his own words with deeds is scorned. Whom, on the contrary, the …
Moreover, he is shown to be admirable from the astonishment of the people, when it is added: And they were astonished at his teaching; and this, because they perceived something great and unaccustomed in it. So also in the teaching of the Apostles after the …
6 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
The word of the teacher is with power, when he performs that which he teaches. But he who by his actions belies what he preaches is despised.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
); they were astonished at his doctrine, there was weight in every word he said, and admirable discoveries were made to them by it. The doctrine itself was astonishing, and not only as it came from one that had not had a liberal education. His word was with power; the
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
And they were astonished at his doctrine,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
His word was with power - Εν εξουσιᾳ, With authority. He assumed the tone and manner of a new Lawgiver; and uttered all his doctrines, not in the way of exhortation or advice, but in the form of precepts and commands, the unction of the Holy Spirit accompanying all he said. See on Mar 1:22 (note).
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
Three great lessons stand out on the face of this passage. Each deserves the close attention of all who desire spiritual wisdom. We learn for one thing — how apt men are to despise the highest privileges, when they are familiar with them. We see it in the conduct of the men of Nazareth, when they had heard the Lord Jesus preach. They could find no fault in His sermon. They could point to no inconsistency in His past life. But because the preacher had dwelt among them thirty years, and His face, and voice, and appearance were familiar to them — they would not receive His doctrine. They said to one another, "Is not this Joseph's son?" Is it possible that one so well-known as this man, can be the Christ? And they drew from our Lord's lips the solemn saying, "No prophet is accepted in his own country." We shall do well to remember this lesson, in the matter of ordinances and means of grace. We are always in danger of undervaluing them — when we have them in abundance. We are apt to think lightly of the privilege of an open Bible, a preached Gospel, and the liberty of meeting together for public worship. We grow up in the midst of these things, and are accustomed to have them without trouble. And the consequence is that we often hold them very cheap, and underrate the extent of our mercies. Let us take heed to our own heart, in the use of sacred things . As often as we may read the Bible — let us never read it without deep reverence. As often as we hear the name of Christ — let us never forget that He is the One Mediator, in whom is life. Even the manna that came down from Heaven was at length scorned by Israel, as "worthless food." (Numbers 21:5.) It is an evil day with our souls, when Christ is in the midst of us — and yet, because of our familiarity with His name, is lightly esteemed.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
Three great lessons stand out on the face of this passage. Each deserves the close attention of all who desire spiritual wisdom. We learn for one thing — how apt men are to despise the highest privileges, when they are familiar with them. We see it in the conduct of the men of Nazareth, when they had heard the Lord Jesus preach. They could find no fault in His sermon. They could point to no inconsistency in His past life.
The words behind it
13 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἐξεπλήσσοντο | exeplessonto | they were astonished | G1605 → | 13 times |
| ἐπὶ | epi | at | G1909 → | 883 times |
| τῇ | tea | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| διδαχῇ | didachea | teaching | G1322 → | |
| αὐτοῦ | autou | of Him | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | for | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ἐν | en | with | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| ἐξουσίᾳ | exousia | authority | G1849 → | 102 times |
| ἦν | en | was | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ὁ | ho | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λόγος | logos | message | G3056 → | 329 times |
| αὐτοῦ. | autou | of Him. | G846 → | 5565 times |
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἐξεπλήσσοντοthey were astonished
exeplessontoG1605 →13 times
ἐπὶat
epiG1909 →883 times
τῇthe
teaG3588 →19766 times
διδαχῇteaching
didacheaG1322 →
αὐτοῦof Him
autouG846 →5565 times
ὅτιfor
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ἐνwith
enG1722 →2738 times
ἐξουσίᾳauthority
exousiaG1849 →102 times
ἦνwas
enG1510 →2333 times
ὁthe
hoG3588 →19766 times
λόγοςmessage
logosG3056 →329 times
αὐτοῦ.of Him.
autouG846 →5565 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
John 6:63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
it leads to
- Galatians 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Psalms 119:93
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.
- John 6:68
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
- Psalms 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
- Galatians 5:25
Through
Titus 2:15Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
it leads to
- 2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
- 1 Timothy 4:12–13
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
- 2 Timothy 4:2
Where this verse is studied
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On this verse
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About Luke
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Gospels; Bede, On the Gospel of Luke; Bede, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bonaventure, Commentary on Luke, Chapter 4; Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Sermon 12; Cyril of Alexandria, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Tertullian, Against Marcion Book IV.