Luke 4:32 kjv

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Luke 4:32 nkjv

And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.

Luke 4:32 niv

They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

Luke 4:32 esv

and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

Luke 4:32 nlt

There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 32 Meaning

Luke 4:32 conveys the profound impact Jesus' teaching had on His audience. They were not merely surprised but deeply struck with awe, astonishment, and reverence. The reason for this overwhelming reaction was the intrinsic authority embedded in His word. Unlike the scribes or Pharisees who taught based on inherited traditions, interpretations, or rabbinical consensus, Jesus spoke from an inherent, direct, and unchallengeable source of power and truth, revealing a divine self-validation in His pronouncements. His teaching resonated with the ultimate authority of God Himself.

Luke 4 32 Context

Luke 4:32 occurs early in Jesus' public ministry in Galilee. Following His baptism, temptation, and initial ministry in Nazareth (where He proclaimed His mission from Isaiah 61:1-2), Jesus moved to Capernaum, a significant center. This verse describes a Sabbath teaching session in the synagogue of Capernaum. This specific moment sets the stage for a series of miraculous demonstrations of Jesus' authority, beginning immediately with the expulsion of an unclean spirit (Luke 4:33-36) and subsequently healing many (Luke 4:38-41). The astonishment of the people at His teaching laid the groundwork for their amazement at His subsequent works, which flowed from the same source of divine authority. Historically, Jewish religious teachers (scribes) relied heavily on citing preceding rabbis and tradition to support their interpretations, thereby grounding their authority in external references. Jesus, however, bypassed this conventional approach, speaking directly with inherent power.

Luke 4 32 Word analysis

• And they were astonished (Καὶ ἐξεπλήσσοντο, kai exeplēssonto):

  • Ex-plēssō (ἐκπλήσσω) literally means "to strike out," "to drive out of one's senses," or "to strike with panic/wonder." Here, it signifies being struck with profound awe, wonder, and amazement, often to the point of being overwhelmed or dumbfounded. It's a stronger reaction than simple surprise. This word implies a recognition of something extraordinary, almost divine, in Jesus' teaching, contrasting sharply with their usual experience with religious instruction.

• at his teaching (ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ, epi tē didachē autou):

  • Didachē (διδαχῇ) refers to both the content and the act of teaching. It encompasses His instruction, doctrine, and method of communication. The people were astonished not just by what He said, but also how He said it and the truth it embodied.

• for his word (ὅτι ἐν λόγῳ, hoti en logō):

  • Logos (λόγῳ): A profound Greek term. While often translated as "word," it encompasses much more: a reasoned thought, a spoken utterance, a principle, or the divine reason behind things. In a deeper theological sense (as seen in John's Gospel), Logos is a title for Christ Himself, implying that Jesus is the authoritative Word of God. Here, it refers to Jesus' spoken teaching, yet carrying the inherent weight and truth of the divine mind, not just human rhetoric or reasoned argument. It emphasizes that His words were efficacious and powerful because they originated from Him.

• was with authority (ἦν ἐξουσία, ēn exousia):

  • Exousia (ἐξουσία): Crucial for understanding the verse. This term denotes inherent right, rightful power, legitimate authority, and inherent capacity to act. It's power derived from one's being, as opposed to dynamis (δύναμις) which is power in action or miraculous ability, or kratos (κράτος) which signifies strength or dominion. The scribes taught with an authority (exousia) that was delegated or based on tradition and citation ("It is written...", "Rabbi so-and-so said..."). Jesus' exousia was self-contained; He spoke as the source of truth, validating His own words with inherent divine power, not external references or human ordination.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And they were astonished... for his word was with authority.": This phrase establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The people's extreme reaction was a direct result of the unique, self-attesting authority perceived in Jesus' verbal communication. Their astonishment was rooted in the revelation that Jesus spoke unlike anyone else, carrying divine weight and truth within His every utterance. This contrast with the expected teaching style of the day further magnified their amazement.

Luke 4 32 Bonus section

The authoritative teaching of Jesus marked a pivotal shift from the Old Covenant. While the prophets of the Old Testament spoke "Thus says the LORD," demonstrating delegated authority, Jesus uniquely spoke "Truly, I say to you..." (Amen, amen, lego hymin), affirming the inherent authority in His own Person and word. This self-referential authority was unprecedented. The very nature of His words transcended mere human instruction, demanding obedience and faith. It was a teaching that required transformation, not just intellectual assent. This aspect foreshadowed His authority to forgive sins (Lk 5:24) and His eventual ultimate authority given at His ascension (Matt 28:18).

Luke 4 32 Commentary

Luke 4:32 profoundly highlights the uniqueness of Jesus as a teacher. Unlike the contemporary religious leaders, whose authority was external—derived from traditions, the Law, or lineage—Jesus' authority was internal, emanating directly from His divine person. When Jesus spoke, His words carried inherent weight and power (exousia) because He was the Truth (Jn 14:6) and the living Word (Jn 1:1). His teaching was not merely commentary on ancient texts or interpretations of others, but a direct revelation of God's will and wisdom. This divine authenticity not only astounded His hearers but also signaled the dawn of a new era, where the Law was not just expounded but embodied and fulfilled. His words possessed the power to change hearts, command spirits, and challenge established norms, all stemming from His identity as God's Son. The immediate context shows that this authority was not just in speech but in action, as demonstrated by the subsequent expulsion of the demon by His word, solidifying the impression made on the people.