Matthew 7:29

For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. FOR HE TAUGHT THEM AS [ONE] HAVING AUTHORITY. The word "one" which our translators have here inserted, only weakens the statement. AND NOT AS THE SCRIBES. The consciousness of divine authority, as Lawgiver, Expounder, and Judge, so beamed through His teaching, that the scribes teaching could not but appear drivelling in such a light. Remarks: (1) Let the disciples of Christ beware of obliterating the distinction between the "broad" and the "narrow" way; and neither be carried away by the plausibilities of that 'liberal' school of preachers and writers whose aim is to refine away the distinguishing peculiarities of the two classes, nor be ashamed of the fidelity which holds them up in bold, clear, sharp outline. It is easy to run down the latter class as narrow bigots, and cry up the former as sensible and large-m...

21-29 Christ here shows that it will not be enough to own him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary to our happiness that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is his will, even our sanctification. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand. Let every one that names the name of Christ, depart from all sin. There are others, whose religion rests in bare hearing, and it goes no further; their heads are filled with empty notions. These two sorts of hearers are represented as two builders. This parable teaches us to hear and do the sayings of the Lord Jesus: some may seem hard to flesh and blood, but they must be done. Christ is laid for a foundation, and every thing besides Christ is sand. Some...

Verse Matthew 7:29. _HAVING AUTHORITY_] They felt a commanding power and authority in his word, i.e. his doctrine. His statements were perspicuous; his exhortations persuasive; his doctrine sound and rational; and his arguments irresistible. These they never felt in the trifling teachings of their most celebrated doctors, who consumed their own time, and that of their disciples and hearers, with frivolous cases of conscience, ridiculous distinctions, and puerile _splittings_ of controversial _hairs_-questions not calculated to minister grace to the hearers. Several excellent MSS. and almost all the ancient versions read, και οι φαρισαιοι, _and the Pharisees_. He taught them as one having authority, like the most eminent and distinguished teacher, _and_ _not as the scribes and Pharisees_, who had no part of that unction which he in its plenit

HIS DOCTRINE - His teaching. AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY, AND NOT AS THE SCRIBES - The scribes were the learned people and teachers of the Jewish nation, and were principally Pharisees. They taught chiefly the sentiments of their Rabbis, and the traditions which had been delivered; they consumed much of their time in useless disputes and “vain jangling.” Jesus was open, plain, grave, useful, delivering truth as “became” the oracles of God; not spending his time in trifling disputes and debating questions of no importance, but confirming his doctrine by miracles and argument; teaching “as having power,” as it is in the original, and not in the vain and foolish manner of the Jewish doctors. He showed that he had authority to explain, to enforce, and to “change” the ceremonial laws of the Jews. He came with authority such as no “man” could have, and it is not remarkable that his explanations as...

EXPOSITION MATTHEW 7:1 (2) As anxiety about the things of this life hinders us Godwards (Matthew 6:19), so does censoriousness manwards (Matthew 7:1), our Lord thus tacitly opposing two typically Jewish faults. Censoriousness—the personal danger of having it (Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2), its seriousness as a sign of ignorance and as a hindrance to spiritual vision (Matthew 7:3), even though there must be a r

FOR HE TAUGHT THEM, AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY,.... This does not so much respect the subject matter of his ministry, the gravity, weight, and solidity of his doctrine; which, to be sure, was greatly different from that of the Scribes, which chiefly lay in proposing and handling things trivial, and of no moment; such as the rituals of the law, the traditions of the elders, or washing of the hands and cups, c. nor merely the manner of his delivery, which was with great affection, ardour, and fervency of spirit, with much liberty and utterance of speech, and with wonderful perspicuity and majesty in which also he differed from the Scribes, who taught in a cold and lifeless manner, without any spirit and power; but this chiefly regards the method he used in preaching, which was by delivering truths of himself in his own name, and by his own authority; often using those words, "but I say unto y...

Matthew 7:1. _Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again._ Some people are of a censorious disposition; they see nothing in others to praise, but everything to blame, and such people generally find that they are condemned according to their own wicked rule. Other people begin to judge those who are so fond of judging. If they are so wise, and so discriminating, others expect more from them; and not finding it, they are not slow to condemn them. It is an old proverb that chickens come home to roost, and so they do. If you judge ill of others, that judgment will, sooner or later, come home to yourself. Matthew 7:3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but

CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The Judgment of Righteousness.(Matthew 7:1 .) 2. Warning against False Prophets.(Matthew 7:15 .) 3. Warning against False Professors. (Matthew 7:21 .)_ The chapter which follows contains the last words of the great discourse of our Lord. The contents of this chapter are very instructive and form a most fitting end of the declaration of the King. The first few verses contain a warning against judging. We have in the beginning of the chapter something which is altogether different from the last section of the sixth chapter. There we saw the heir of the Kingdom in the midst of the world, how he is to trust in and depend on the Father and seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, h

AS HAVING AUTHORITY. He spake, not as man, with human doubts and limitations, but as one who was omniscient. He came from God, was the brightness of the Father's glory, and spoke as one divine; not as human, hesitating, halting, limping expounders like the scribes, the interpreters of the Scriptures. The scribes said, "Rabbi Hillel, or Rabbi Shammai, says thus and thus," but Jesus said, "_ I_ say unto you." PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE. THE STRAIT GATE.--Christian enters through the strait gate and is directed in the narrow way. In the broad road every man may choose. path suited to his inclinations, shift about to avoid difficulties, or accommodate himself to circumstances; and be will be sure of company agreeable to his tastes. But Christians must follow in the narrow way along the same track, surmounting difficulties, facing enemies, and bearing hardships without any room to evade them;...

THE ERROR OF JUDGMENT (Matthew 7:1-5)...