What Does Matthew 7:28 Mean in the King James?
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word translated “astonished” pictures Jesus’ teaching striking the hearers out of their settled frame.
THE MEANING
As these sayings close in your hearing, the people are struck by Jesus’ teaching, and you stand among them. The words land with force, meeting the hearer as more than detached ideas to consider from a distance.
THE ROOT
ἐξεπλήσσοντο
exeplēssonto
GROWS FROM
πλησσ (plēss; with a πληγ / plēg variant)
strike, smite
“astonished” in this verse is exeplēssonto. The verb ἐκπλήσσω joins ἐκ (out) with πλήσσω (strike): astonishment is pictured as being struck out of composure. English can make the reaction sound like mere surprise; the Greek carries the force of an impact.
ALSO GROWS
plēssō: to strike, smite
πλήσσω
This base verb makes the force within “astonished” audible.
plēgē: a blow, stroke
πληγή
This related noun keeps the image of a felt impact close to the hearers’ response.
διδαχή
didachē
GROWS FROM
διδασκ
didask
teach, instruct
“doctrine” in this verse is didachē. The Greek word names teaching as something given and received, not only a fixed set of propositions. Beside the striking force of ἐκπλήσσω, it shows that the hearers are moved by the teaching itself.
ALSO GROWS
didaskō: to teach
διδάσκω
The verb names the act at the heart of διδαχή.
didaskalos: teacher
διδάσκαλος
This related word links the teaching to the one who teaches it.
THE PATTERN
A word carrying authority acts on the hearer, striking, searching, and laying open what passive information leaves untouched.
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.THE THREAD
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.Luke uses the same Greek word for “astonished” and the same word for “doctrine,” then states the reason: Jesus’ word is with power. What Matthew shows as a striking response, Luke connects directly to the force of the word.
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