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Luke 4:32
ESV and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.
NIV They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.
NASB and they were amazed at His teaching, because His message was delivered with authority.
CSB They were astonished at his teaching because his message had authority.
NLT There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.
KJV And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

What does Luke 4:32 mean?

A hallmark of Jesus' teaching is His "authority." On several occasions, the Gospels record those who heard Jesus speak making special mention of this. That Jesus spoke with authority, in part, would mean an attitude of confidence and ease—He was not hesitant or insecure. It also speaks to the way in which He phrased His teachings (Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22). Speakers of that era would refer to prior scholars when making certain pronouncements, as a way of establishing the authority of their words. In contrast, Jesus clearly claimed this wisdom as His own.

Luke notes the authority displayed in Jesus' teaching immediately before noting one of the ways in which Jesus proved that authority was legitimate: miraculous power. Jesus will supernaturally heal a demon-possessed man (Luke 4:33–34). The people will make the connection between Jesus' words and His miracles as evidence that His message is from God (Luke 4:36).
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