Mark 1:22

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 1:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they were astonished at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they were astonished at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22And they were astonished at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they were astonished at his doctrine, etc..] The nature and importance of it, it being what they had not been used to hear; only at best the doctrine of the law, and sometimes only the traditions of the elders, or an allegorical and traditional sense of the Scriptures, and things very trifling and unedifying: and also they were amazed at the manner of his preaching, which was with so much gracefulness, gravity, and majesty, and was attended with so much evidence and power: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the Scribes; or “their Scribes”, as the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read. He did not go about to establish what he said by the authority of the Rabbins,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they were astonished at his doctrine--or "teaching"--referring quite as much to the manner as the matter of it. for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes--See on Mat 7:28-29.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See also Luke 4:31-37. Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum - For the situation of Capernaum see the notes at Matthew 4:13. Straightway - Immediately. On the following Sabbath. The synagogue - See the notes at Matthew 4:23. And taught - In the synagogue, the presiding elder, after reading the Scriptures, invited anyone who chose to address the people, Acts 13:15. Though our Saviour was not a “priest” of the Levitical order or an “officer” of the synagogue, yet we find him often availing himself of this privilege, and delivering his doctrines to the Jews. Mark 1:22 He taught them as one that had authority ... - See the notes at Matthew 7:29. Mark 1:23 A man with an unclean spirit - See…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:22 The teachers of religious law were professional scribes—scholars who taught, copied, and interpreted Jewish law for the people. They were primarily associated with the Pharisees. The scribes’ authority was derived from quoting other scribes (cp. Matt 5:21-48). Jesus’ teaching caused amazement because he spoke and acted with real authority (see Mark 1:27; 5:20; 6:2; 7:37; 10:24-32; 11:18; 15:5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they were: Jer 23:29; Mat 7:28, Mat 7:29, Mat 13:54; Luk 4:32, Luk 21:15; Joh 7:46; Act 6:10; Act 9:21, Act 9:22; Co2 4:2; Heb 4:12, Heb 4:13 as the: Mar 7:3-13; Mat 23:16-24 Mark 1:23”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification