And they were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who has authority, and not like the scribes.
This verse reveals the unique power and authority of Jesus’ word. The scribes usually taught by relying on the interpretations and traditions of earlier teachers, whereas Jesus spoke with direct authority, as the source of truth. His teaching affected not only the mind but also the conscience, because the truth sounded with living power. The people sensed that His word differed from ordinary teaching and that it carried a special authority. This shows that when the word of God is spoken with His own power, it awakens, judges, heals, and calls a person to faith.