Matthew 8:1

THE IMPACT OF JESUS-' PREACHING

TEXT: Matthew 7:28-8

28. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching:
29. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 8:1. And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

a. How do you explain the fact that it was when Jesus had finished that the multitudes were astonished, when, in fact, there is much in the Sermon that would have caused much surprise, shock, admiration, fear and amazement much before this?
b. What was there about the teaching of Jesus that caused the crowds to arrive at the particular conclusion about Him that they did?

PARAPHRASE

When Jesus finished this message, the people were amazed at His teaching, for, quite unlike their rabbis, He taught them like one who had authority. Numerous crowds of people followed Him as He descended the mountain.

SUMMARY

The difference between Jesus and any other rabbi, yes, and any other human teacher lay in the question of authority. They cited it, but He possessed it. People could see the difference, so they followed Jesus.

NOTES

Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words. This phrase proves that this is one entire sermon, delivered as Matthew records it here. There was a definite beginning (Matthew 5:2) and this is the clear conclusion to the discourse. It is not a compilation either by Matthew or some other, as some scholars assume.

The multitudes were astonished at his teaching. (Cf. Matthew 19:25; Matthew 22:33; Mark 1:27; Mark 11:18; Luke 4:32; Acts 13:12) That they should suddenly be astonished at His teaching, when actually most of His sermon was most surprising and quite contradictory to their most cherished beliefs, might seem a forced and unnatural reaction. But the psychological impact of the Sermon, as here described, is altogether proper, for, as long as Jesus was speaking, everyone listened spellbound, even if some of Jesus-' sayings were too new and different to be true and readily acceptable. Then, when He finished His resounding conclusion and stopped talking, the audience itself relaxed and the total impact of what He had said began to take hold in their minds. Amazement swept over the crowds as they confirmed their impressions with their neighbors.

Matthew 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority. This is the major reason for the reaction of the audience, And not as their scribes. The scribes habitually cited as authorities the ancients to establish their tenants, while Jesus showed that He possessed supreme, perfect authority Himself in His own person, He did not base the truth of His message even upon the Old Testament, for He has revealed ideals that surpassed even the lofty ethics of the Law and has done this so brilliantly that not even the doctors of the Law could refute Him. Implied in His presentation of the ideals of perfection on the one hand, and of the depths of human wickedness on the other, is His personal incarnation of the ethics that He teaches. There is no hint of an apology for failure to meet His own standard, there is no confession of sin, Further, He has declared Himself the Judge of the world and that His teaching was the standard by which all would be measured. And this measure of difference that separates Jesus from the Jewish scribes also yawns as an uncrossable chasm between Him and all other religio-ethical teachers. Jesus is not important because what He taught was so great, but His message is vitally essential because HE IS GREAT.

Matthew 8:1 And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. What will they do about Jesus-' unparalleled Sermon? Some will build wisely; some will be fools. Some will be astonished but not be stirred to obedience. Some will refuse as first, then obey later; some will promise at first, then not come through, Let us humbly follow Him also, doing what He says and enter the kingdom of God.

SUMMARY QUESTIONS

1.

Write an outline of the Sermon on the Mount. As far as possible, make it an interpretative outline, showing all the parts of it in their relation to the main theme and to each other.

2.

List from the Sermon on the Mount all the statements which assert or clearly imply the deity of Christ.

3.

State rather briefly in your own words the essential nature of the righteousness which Jesus is trying to teach in the Sermon. What kind of character does it require? How does one get to be that kind of person?

4.

Discuss the nature and purpose of the Sermon on the Mount. On whom was it intended to be binding? What is its relation to the gospel and to the means of salvation? What was it meant to accomplish?

5.

Discuss the kingdom as preached by John, and then as preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In doing this explain what it was that He called the kingdom.

DO YOU HAVE THE WORD IN YOUR HEART?

Where are the following passages found? Who said it? On what occasion? To whom was it said? Why was it said? What does it mean? Are there parallel passages? variant manuscript readings? important other translations of the verse? Are there problems in interpreting it? How is it to be applied to our lives?

1. I say unto you, every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.
2. Narrow is the gate and straitened the way that leadeth unto life.
3. Give to him that asketh thee.
4. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven.
5. Judge not that ye be not judged.
6. For every one that asketh receiveth.
7. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
8. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
9. When thou fastest, anoint thy head.
10. Agree with thine adversary quickly.
11. Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
12. By their fruits ye shall know them.
13. If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
14. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
15. How much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
16. And bring us not into temptation.
17. They have received their reward.