This particular sub-section contains references to Strong’s Greek Concordance to clarify terminology.
In the Old Testament account, the Prophets, when speaking, would not speak the Law of God or prophecies of God on their own authority. From Moses to Isaiah to Jeremiah, they would say “thus saith the LORD” (this appears 415 times in 413 verses in the KJV.)
What about Jesus? Did He have any authority? Let’s examine the Scriptures to discover what we might find.
In the Old Testament account, the Prophets, when speaking, would not speak the Law of God or prophecies of God on their own authority. From Moses to Isaiah to Jeremiah, they would say “thus saith the LORD” (this appears 415 times in 413 verses in the KJV.)
What about Jesus? Did He have any authority? Let’s examine the Scriptures to discover what we might find.
- Jesus clarifies Old Testament Law. In Matthew 5, Jesus clarifies several Old Testament Laws, even bringing them to a higher plane, in that it is not just deeds that matter, but even the things we think about. The Old Testament Law in Exodus 20:13 says “do not murder”. Yet, in Matthew 5:22, Jesus says something quite fascinating. He says “But I say”. Wait, what? Who does Jesus think He is? Is He crazy? Is He insane? This is something that even Moses would have never dared to do! Yet here Jesus is, equating hatred as being “guilty before the court…enough to go into the fiery hell” (Matthew 5:22).He equates lust with adultery of the heart (Matthew 5:28), a clear reference to Exodus 20:14.
He quotes Deuteronomy 24:1 in Matthew 5:31 in that the Law was that “anyone who sends (G630, apoluō, put away) His wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce (G647, apostasion, divorce). Jesus says that anyone who divorces (G630, apoluō, put away) his wife (that is, without issuing a certificate of divorce [G647, apostasion]) with the exception of unchastity (G4202, porneia, fornication) makes her commit adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced (G630, apoluō, put away) woman commits adultery. Jesus is clarifying the intent of the directive in Deuteronomy. He quotes in part from Leviticus 19:12 in Matthew 5:33 and tells people not to make oaths, but rather “let your yes, yes or no no; anything beyond these is of evil” (Matthew 5:37).
He quotes Exodus 21:24 in Matthew 5:38 and says to the people that they should turn the other cheek (verse 39), give their coat to those who sue them for their shirt (verse 40), go two miles with those who force you to go one (verse 41), give to those who ask, and lend to those who wish to borrow (verse 42).
In these instances, was Jesus telling people to stop obeying Old Testament Law? Of course not! He was speaking with authority, clarifying the Law of God in its intent. Since Jesus claimed to be God, we can expect this behavior
- He has been given all authority by the Father. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said that “all authority (G1849, exousia, authority/power) has been given to Me in heaven and earth”. Of course, Jesus’ authority came from the Father (Psalm 8:6, Matthew 11:27, John 9:1-6, John 13:3), who is also God; however, which of the Prophets of the Old Testament. However, others recognized it as well. At the end of Matthew 7, after Jesus was done talking, the author record that “the crowds were amazed at His teachings, for He was teaching them as one having authority (G1849, exousia, authority/power), and not of the scribes.”
- He had authority over unclean spirits. This incident is recorded in Mark 1:21-28 and Luke 4:31-37. After teaching in Galilee, specifically in Capernaum (Mark 1:21, Luke 4:31). Once again, we read that the crowd was amazed, for Jesus taught with authority (Mark 1:22, Luke 4:32; G1849, exousia, authority/power). After a brief exchange with an unclean spirit (demon?), Jesus commanded it to come out (Mark 1:25, Luke 4:35). The crowds were amazed, and recognized Jesus’ authority (Mark 1:27, Luke 4:36; G1849, exousia, authority/power).