Authority

As I continue to read through the Sermon on the Mount on an (almost) daily basis, one particular snippet keeps haunting me:

²⁸Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, ²⁹for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. --Matthew 7:28-29

Jesus astounded the people with His teaching...

because he taught as one having authority.

Not like the scribes who presumably taught but didn't do so with authority.

Question: What does it mean to teach with authority?

Does it mean teaching with absolute certainty?

Does it mean having all the answers?

Wiping all the dust off of my Greek lexicons, I can see two possibilities in translating the Greek word "exousian" in this case:

1. Ability, capability, might, power.

2. authority, absolute power.

Which one?

Reading through the Expositor's Bible Commentary gives a clue.  Notice throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly says, "You have heard it said...but I tell you..." 

Jesus doesn't cite any other authorities.  He doesn't quote other teachers or wise men.  He quotes the sacred Scriptures and goes beyond what they even say. 

The law:  "You have heard it said, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'" 

Fine, easy enough.  Don't sleep with anyone who you are not married to.  Can accomplish the fulfillment of that law without too much difficulty. 

With Authority: "But I say, if you even look at a woman with lust in your heart you have committed adultery with her."

Jesus goes above and beyond what the law states as He teaches.  Was anyone else daring to do such a thing?  Did anyone else dare to make the Mosaic Law even more strict than articulated? 

I remember taking a class on Judaism in college.  The rabbi was very straight forward with us when he talked about the Jewish concept of sin.  "It isn't a sin if you think it," he said.  "Only if you act on your thoughts."

Jesus doesn't follow that rule.  Jesus includes not only the action but the thoughts which lead to the action as sinful. 

"I tell you..."

Is this the understanding of such authority?  Or is it more? 

And are such folks astounded by authority today?  Or resentful?  Can the Church claim to have such authority in its teachings?  Is it something the Church has lost along the way?

So many questions to wrestle with.