COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 11
TEACHING IN THE SYNAGOGUE
“ Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. ” (Mark 1:21-22)
INTRODUCTION
The Lord Jesus was noted for His preaching and teaching – for proclaiming and expounding. The Prophets who foretold Him were also noted to their preaching and teaching. A special messenger sent to prepare the way for Him – John the Baptist – was also noted for these two activities. Immediately after His temptation, Jesus “taught in the synagogues, being glorified of all” (Luke 4:15). Sin had introduced a condition of spiritual ignorance in which both the nature and the will of God had become greatly obscured. Among other things, Jesus came to bring clarity concerning God, His purpose, and His salvation. As “the Light of world,” He brought lucidity into the religious arena – one that was fraught with tradition and lifeless legalism. We should therefore expect a kind of religious disruption to occur as Jesus begins to preach and teach. That disruption will not always be adversarial. It will, however, force people out of the mold of lifeless religion, and to consequently consider fresh perspectives of God, His purpose, and His salvation.
It is apparent that those who desire to obtain what God has to give must listen to what He has to say. A religion that leaves the people in a state of fundamental ignorance of the Lord and His “eternal purpose,” cannot be from God. It is imperative that the people of God be alert for religious encroachments that leave the mind and heart unchallenged and without spiritual substance.
HE ENTERED INTO THE SYNAGOGUE AND TAUGHT
“ 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.”
Jesus has drawn at least four ardent followers – Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Their day was interrupted by a call from the Master, and they embarked on a new career.
THEY WENT INTO CAPERNAUM. Matthew tells us that Jesus had left Nazareth, and was actually living in Capernaum: “And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim” (Matt 4:13). This was done in order to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah: “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matt 4:14-16; Isa 9:1-2). While Jesus dwelt in Capernaum, it is written that He “taught them on the Sabbath days” (Lk 4:31). In our text, we will be privy to one of those times. It was after this initial move, while He was preaching throughout that region, that Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John (Matt 4:18-22).
Now “THEY” (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) go with Jesus “into Capernaum,” returning to Christ’s home base with Him. The ministry of Jesus was in a state of dramatic growth. Matthew writes of this time, “His fame went throughout all Syria.” All of sick and infirm people, “taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic (epileptics NASB), and those that had palsy” were brought to Him, “and He healed them” (Matt 4:24-25). What a remarkable time it was – and Simon, Andrew, James, and John were with Him, being exposed to the mighty teaching and working of the Savior. They were coming into a fuller and more productive acquaintance of the Lord Jesus. This, of course, is a requisite for effective preaching and teaching.
It is one thing to hear others speak of the wonderful works of God – and, indeed, it is refreshing to do so. The men in Samaria heard of Jesus through the testimony of a woman (John 4:29-30). Simon first heard the testimony from Andrew (John 1:40-41). Nathanael heard the testimony from Philip (John 1:45-48). But the real change took place in them all when they personally met the Lord and were duly impressed with His Person, presence, words, and works. Many of the Samaritans believed on Jesus because of “the saying of the woman.” However, “many more believed because of His own word,” saying, “Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
HE ENTERED INTO THE SYNAGOGUE. Luke informs us that the synagogue in Capernaum had been built by a “certain centurion.” This was the man whose faith caused Jesus to “marvel.” He said of the man, “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel”(Lk 7:1-10). From the Centurion’s response to Jesus, it seems apparent that he himself had frequented this synagogue, hearing Jesus who spoke there regularly.
A consideration. It is interesting to note that God never commanded His people to build synagogues. We are not certain of their precise origin. The word “synagogue” means “gathering,” and referred to a place where the people of God came together. We learn from the book of Acts that “Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day” (Acts 15:21). It is generally understood that synagogues had their origin sometime during or after the Babylonian captivity – the people then being deprived of the Temple. History informs us there were numerous synagogues throughout Palestine, and thirteen in Jerusalem itself. McCLINTOK & STRONG
Here was an example of the kind of devotion described during the time of Malachi: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another” (Mal 3:16). Jesus sanctified such gatherings, gracing the synagogues of the land with His presence and matchless teaching. We learn from the book of Luke that it was Jesus’ “custom” to go into the “synagogue on the Sabbath day” (Luke 4:16). That is a revelation of the Divine nature!
AND TAUGHT. Other versions read, “and began to teach,” NASB “gave teaching,” BBE “He taught them,” DOUAY “taught the people,” NLT “He was teaching,” YLT and “where He preached.” LIVING The word “taught” means “to hold a discourse with others in order to instruct them,” or “instill doctrine into one.” THAYER In this ordained way, Jesus was acquainting people with “the manner of the kingdom” (1 Sam 10:25). Those who have no appetite for teaching will not spent much time with Jesus, for He was a “Teacher come from God” (John 3:2). Jesus did not come into the synagogue to hold a community question/answer session, but to instruct people in things pertaining to life and godliness. That was His manner.
THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE
“ 22a And they were astonished at His doctrine . . . ”
It should not surprise us that Christ’s teaching was unique. If He did, in fact, come into the world “that they which see not might see” (John 9:39), then He will administer some form of understanding – understanding that is essential to the obtaining of eternal life.
Fifteen times the Gospels say of Jesus, “He taught” (Matt 7:29; 13:54; Mk 1:22; 2:13; 4:2; 9:31; 10:1; 11:7; 12:35; Lk 4:15; 19:47; 20:1; 6:59; 7:28; 8:20). Eleven times we read of Jesus “teaching” (Matt 4:23; 9:35; 21:23; 26:55; Mk 6:6; 14:49; Lk 5:17; 13:10,22; 21:37; 23:5). We read of Him departing from one place to “teach” in another (Matt 11:1). Once, when Jesus told the people He was going where they “cannot come,” the Jews reasoned that He was going somewhere to “teach” (John 7:34-35). He taught in their synagogues (Matt 13:54), by the sea side (Mk 2:13), and “in the Temple” (Mk 12:35). When the people “resorted to Him again,” following Him to the “farther side of Jordan,” it is said of Jesus, “and as He was accustomed, He taught them again” NKJV (Mk 10:1).
Many of the contemporary views of Jesus do not make much of His teaching. However, that is a fundamental aspect of His ministry. Until the heart is brought to the point where the individual wants to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary, to hear His word (Luke 10:39), little will be received from Him. Jesus said of Mary sitting at His feet, “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk 10:42).
In my judgment, this is a particularly weak area in the nominal church. There is little emphasis on a teaching Jesus. Yet, when delineating the nature of spiritual life, the Spirit witnessed, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind . . . But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:17-24).
Those in Capernaum were not the last to hear the teaching Jesus. In fact, He has increased both the volume and depth of His teaching – teaching that is requisite to walking in His light, enjoying His presence, and participating in His great salvation.
ASTONISHED. Other versions read, “amazed,” NASB “astounded,” NRSV “full of wonder,” BBE “made a deep impression upon them,” NJB “completely astonished,” AMPLIFIED “surprised,” LIVING “listened with amazement,” WEYMOUTH “utterly amazed,” ISV and “dumbfounded.” WILLIAMS
The word “astonished” means “to expel by a blow, drive out or away . . . to be struck with amazement, astonished, amazed.” THAYER The imagery in this word is that of a sudden blast of air that removes everything else, filling the container with itself. When astonishment has to do with fear, what is said or done causes fearfulness to fill the heart. In our text, a sense of wonder and marvel came upon the people when Jesus taught.
The point is that there was a distinct uniqueness in what Jesus said and how He said it. What He said did not blend with the notions that were entertained in the religious community. This characteristic of the Lord’s word is expressed in Jeremiah’s words: “Is not My word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer 23:29). Matthew tells us that the people in Jesus’ home town, after hearing Him speak, said, “Whence hath this Man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” (Mat 13:54). He spoke in a manner that His adversaries were not “able to gainsay nor resist” (Lk 21:15).
Perhaps you can recall when the Word of the Lord first arrested your attention, and you were astonished and amazed at the manner in which He spoke, and the content of His message. Jesus still breaks through the crust of religiosity and “church-as-usual.” His words are penetrating, discovering the “thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). It is no ordinary experience to hear Christ, and be taught by Him (Eph 4:20-21).
HIS DOCTRINE. Lexically, the word “doctrine” means “teaching” – but that definition does not produce much clarity. “Doctrine” is like a summary word. It not only includes what is said, but includes the purpose for which it is said. “Doctrine” has a certain direction – an objective, or something to be accomplished. It is not merely the communication of information, although that is certainly included. It is written that once Jesus said “in His doctrine, Beware of the scribes”(Mark 12:38). Another time Jesus said, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me” (John 7:16). In other words, Jesus taught people what God wanted them to know. He brought the things of God within the grasp of their hearts and minds. God said to Moses, “My doctrine shall drop as the rain” (Deut 32:2). That saying is fulfilled in the teaching of Jesus.
HE DID NOT TEACH LIKE THE SCRIBES
“ 22b . . . for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”
This text shows us that, by its very nature, the teaching of Jesus provokes a comparison with all lesser teaching. Divine tutelage has a certain quality about it – a character that dwarfs all competing instruction. Once Jesus’ teaching is duly heeded, the individual will make a comparison with other instruction. This confirms there is a sharp contrast between the Word of the Lord and the words of men. Wherever the truth is proclaimed in power, this contrast will become apparent.
HE TAUGHT THEM. Other versions read, “He was teaching them.” NASB The idea is that while Jesus was teaching, something became very apparent to the listeners. The words He employed, the manner in which He spoke them, and the thrust of His message arrested their attention. He was acquainting them with the God they professed to worship. He was opening to them the Law and the Prophets with which they thought themselves to be familiar. The people came to the synagogue that day, but they did not hear a lecture, or a learned disquisition on some facet of Jewish life. This day, they were “taught.” They were learning something, seeing things, and being exposed to thoughts that took hold of their hearts and minds. “He taught them.” I cannot begin to tell you how many religious gatherings I have attended where no teaching took place – where nothing was learned, and no precious nugget of truth was dispensed to the people. It was quite different for those who heard the Lord.
ONE THAT HAD AUTHORITY. Other versions read, “as one having power,” DOUAY “with authority,” NJB “one who had real authority,” NLT “He spoke as an authority,” LIVING “there was authority about it,” WEYMOUTH “like One who had authority to teach,” WILLIAMS and “He taught with the ring of authority.” PHILLIPS Luke says of this occasion, “for His word was with power” (Luke 4:32). To be sure, it was an arresting word!
During Christ’s ministry some Temple officers confessed, “Never man spake like this Man” (John 7:46). The people sensed that Jesus knew what He was talking about. He was not philosophizing, but declaring heavenly realities. Later He would say, “I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me” (John 5:30). Jesus spoke out of the experience of communion with the Father. Concerning God, He confessed, “But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent Me” (John 7:29).
That is why Jesus spoke as one having authority! It was not because He had familiarized Himself with the religious writings of the day! It was not His academic training or familiarity with the teaching of the doctors of the Law that moved Him to speak with such obvious confidence. With startling candor He said, “I speak that which I have seen with My Father” (John 8:38). That is what gave the ring of authority to Christ’s words.
NOT AS THE SCRIBES. Other versions read, “not as the teachers of the law,” NIV “Not like the scribes,” BBE “quite unlike the scribes,” NLT “unlike what they were used to hearing,” LIVING and “it was very different from that of the scribes.” WEYMOUTH
The idea is not that Jesus simply had a different manner about Him. Rather, it is that the way He taught and the message He declared obviously clashed with the speaking of the scribes. They did not speak with authority, but founded their doctrines upon what men had said – uninspired men – “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt15:9; Mk 7:7). They appeared very scholastic, but their words were limp and without vivifying power. Jesus characterized the scribes as “blind guides” Matt 16:16,24). They did not really see, or understand, the things of God, and therefore their words had no power.
Referring to the same manner of teaching Paul said of his own preaching, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God . . . And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor 2:1-5). The truth of the matter is that attempting to preach within the context of human wisdom voids the power of the cross. “not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (1 Cor 1:17). Pure and insightful words are essential if men are going to have faith “in the power of God” (1 Cor 2:5).
Men cannot preach differently than Jesus, yet have the same results as He did. Jesus will not work through inferior messages. He did not when He dwelt among us in the flesh, and He does not now. If a person chooses to preach and teach what he himself has not comprehended, he is locked into a powerless condition. This applies to saturating messages with the sayings of mere men as well – our peers. The church of our day is languishing for a word that has power, and will cause godly astonishment among the people!