Matthew 22 33

Matthew 22:33 kjv

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Matthew 22:33 nkjv

And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

Matthew 22:33 niv

When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

Matthew 22:33 esv

And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Matthew 22:33 nlt

When the crowds heard him, they were astounded at his teaching.

Matthew 22 verses

Matthew 22 33 Meaning

Matthew 22:33 reveals the profound impact of Jesus’ teaching on the common people. After His authoritative and clear response to the Sadducees regarding the resurrection, the crowds present were not merely surprised, but deeply astonished and overwhelmed by the divine wisdom and power manifest in His words. This verse underscores the unique authority of Jesus' doctrine, which sharply contrasted with the interpretations of the contemporary religious teachers and left an undeniable impression on those who heard it.

Matthew 22 33 Context

Matthew 22:33 is situated within a series of confrontations between Jesus and various religious factions in Jerusalem during His final week before His crucifixion. Prior to this verse, Jesus has just brilliantly refuted the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, an afterlife, or angels, and accepted only the Pentateuch as canonical Scripture. They presented a convoluted hypothetical scenario (the levirate marriage with a woman marrying seven brothers, Matt 22:23-28) to entrap Jesus, intending to expose the resurrection as absurd. Jesus' response, however, decisively silences them (Matt 22:29-32) by proving the resurrection from the very Torah they claimed to uphold (Exodus 3:6 – "I AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" implies these patriarchs are alive, not annihilated). This powerful demonstration of theological insight and divine authority directly leads to the crowds' reaction. This verse serves as a crucial interlude, marking Jesus' triumph over His opponents, before the Pharisees attempt their own challenge to Him (Matt 22:34ff). Historically, the Sadducees represented the priestly aristocracy, often aligning with Roman power, and their rationalistic approach put them in stark contrast to the common people and the Pharisees. The astonishment of the crowds indicates that even those accustomed to the disputes of various schools were taken aback by the irrefutable clarity and divine authority of Jesus' arguments, directly refuting prevailing, man-made theological stances.

Matthew 22 33 Word analysis

• When: A conjunction setting the temporal relation, marking the immediate aftermath of Jesus' interaction with the Sadducees.
• the crowds: Greek: οἱ ὄχλοι (hoi ochloi). Refers to the common people, distinct from the religious leaders who often opposed Jesus. They were the general public witnessing these encounters, less invested in partisan theological debates and more open to direct truth. Their reaction reflects the popular sentiment towards Jesus' unique authority.
• heard: Greek: ἀκούσαντες (akousantes). Implies not just audibly perceiving but truly listening and comprehending what was said. The act of hearing led to an understanding that provoked their response.
• this: Refers to Jesus' just-concluded teaching and explanation to the Sadducees regarding the resurrection. It encompassed both the content (divine truth) and the authoritative manner of His delivery.
• they were astonished: Greek: ἐξεπλήσσοντο (exeplēssonto). An imperfect passive verb from ἐκπλήσσω (ekplēsso), meaning "to strike out, cast out," leading to being "struck out of one's senses," "utterly astounded," "dumbfounded," or "overwhelmed with awe." It's a stronger reaction than mere surprise, indicating a profound intellectual and emotional shock, signifying a recognition of something extraordinary, beyond human expectation or capability. The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or repeated state of astonishment, indicating the lasting impression.
• at his teaching: Greek: ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ (epi tē didachē autou).
  • his: Emphasizes that it was Jesus' own unique method and authority that provoked the reaction, not merely the words themselves but the source.
  • teaching: Greek: διδαχῇ (didachē). Encompasses not just the specific words spoken but also the manner, content, and the inherent authority with which Jesus delivered His message. It denotes a doctrine or instruction that is compelling due to its wisdom and truth, and particularly due to the divine authority behind it. It stands in stark contrast to the teachings of the scribes which were based on human tradition and interpretations (Mk 1:22).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "When the crowds heard this": This phrase sets the scene, focusing on the audience that genuinely listened to Jesus' theological clarification, contrasting their openness with the closed-mindedness of the Sadducees who tried to trap Him. It highlights Jesus' ability to connect with and impact the masses directly.
• "they were astonished at his teaching": This encapsulates the immediate and powerful reaction of the ordinary people. It emphasizes that Jesus' authoritative wisdom, manifested in His unique teaching style and content, transcended human expectations and truly overwhelmed those who heard it, signifying His divine authority and profound understanding.

Matthew 22 33 Bonus section

The reaction of the crowds in Matthew 22:33 is consistent throughout Jesus' ministry. Time and again, the common people "hung on His words" (Lk 19:48) and were amazed by His authoritative teaching, unlike the religious leaders who sought to discredit or trap Him. This astonishment serves as an unconscious prophetic acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah whose wisdom was not merely human, but divine, echoing prophecies of one who would speak with God's very words (Deut 18:18-19; Is 50:4). The passage implicitly contrasts earthly wisdom, as displayed by the Sadducees attempting to trick Jesus with a complex legal question, with the divine wisdom and simple yet profound truth revealed through Jesus. The verse therefore not only records a reaction but underscores the pervasive effect of the living Word of God upon receptive hearts, foreshadowing that salvation and understanding are often revealed to the humble, rather than those who consider themselves "wise" (Matt 11:25-26).

Matthew 22 33 Commentary

Matthew 22:33 powerfully encapsulates the profound difference between the theological nitpicking of the religious elite and the impactful, Spirit-filled truth emanating from Jesus. Following His unassailable defeat of the Sadducees’ resurrection challenge, the collective awe of the crowds underscored that Jesus' teaching carried an intrinsic, self-authenticating authority entirely unlike that of the scribes or Pharisees. Their astonishment was not born of mere surprise, but a deep, overwhelming realization of divine wisdom in human form, perceiving the undeniable clarity, logic, and spiritual power within Jesus' words. It wasn't simply what He said, but how He said it – with the Spirit of God manifesting truth – that captivated them. This moment served as a testament to the common person's receptiveness to genuine spiritual truth when confronted with human religious contrivance. It implicitly validated Jesus' ministry in the eyes of the people, further separating Him from the legalistic and often barren doctrines of the day, proving His claims as the one speaking for God Himself.

For example,

• His teaching challenged traditional assumptions.
• His clarity cut through religious confusion.
• His authority bypassed human interpretation.