# Matthew 7:29

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**Matthew 7:29** is the twenty-ninth (and the last) [verse](/source/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible) in [the seventh chapter](/source/Matthew_7) of the [Gospel of Matthew](/source/Gospel_of_Matthew) in the [New Testament](/source/New_Testament). It ends a two verse conclusion following the [Sermon on the Mount](/source/Sermon_on_the_Mount).

## Content

In the [Westcott-Hort](/source/Westcott-Hort) edition of the original Greek, this verse reads:

- ην γαρ διδασκων αυτους ως εξουσιαν
- εχων και ουχ ως οι γραμματεις αυτων

In the [King James Version](/source/King_James_Version) of the [Bible](/source/Bible), the text reads:

- For he taught them as one having
- authority, and not as the scribes.

The [English Standard Version](/source/English_Standard_Version) translates the passage as:

- for he was teaching them as one who
- had authority, and not as their scribes.

For a collection of other versions see [BibleHub Matthew 7:29](http://biblehub.com/matthew/7-29.htm).

## Analysis

In the [previous verse](/source/Matthew_7:28), the crowd of onlookers were described as astonished at Jesus' sayings (Greek: τους λογους τουτους, *tous logous toutous*) which complete Matthew's narrative known as the "Sermon on the Mount", and this verse explains why. The final phrase is a verbatim copy of , set in a very different context. [Mark's Gospel](/source/Mark's_Gospel) simply asserts Jesus' authority; Matthew uses it as a concluding argument after presenting the Sermon on the Mount as evidence.[1]

In some [translations](/source/English_translations_of_the_bible) this verse refers to *their* [scribes](/source/Scribe).[2] [Ulrich Luz](/source/Ulrich_Luz) suggests that this is a clear indicator that Jesus' followers saw themselves as separate from the mainstream Jewish community at the time this gospel was written.[3] *Scribes* refers to the trained rabbis who would quote scribal authorities, and makes clear that Jesus is greater than the most important rabbi.[4] A sermon by the rabbis would have been replete with references to scripture to validate each teaching. The contrast presented by Matthew is that Jesus speaks based on his own authority, not that of past figures.[5]

A few authorities add "... and the [Pharisees](/source/Pharisees)" (e.g. [Wycliffe's Bible](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:28-29&version=WYC), the [Vulgate Latin](/source/Vulgate), the [Syriac](/source/Syriac_New_Testament), the Persic versions, and the [Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language) edition of Matthew by [Munster](/source/Sebastian_M%C3%BCnster)).[6] The [Pulpit Commentary](/source/Pulpit_Commentary) suggests that this "may either be derived from or be an independent [gloss](/source/Gloss_(annotation)) due to the fact that the Pharisees were looked upon as the typical Jewish teachers".[7]

## Commentary from the Church Fathers

[Jerome](/source/Jerome): For as the God and Lord of Moses himself, He of His own free will either added such things as seemed omitted in the Law, or even changed some; as above we read, It was said by them of old.… But I say unto you. But the Scribes only taught the people what was written in Moses and the Prophets.[8]

[Gregory the Great](/source/Gregory_the_Great): Or, Christ spoke with especial power, because He did no evil from weakness, but we who are weak, in our weakness consider by what method in teaching we may best consult for our weak brethren.[8]

[Hilary of Poitiers](/source/Hilary_of_Poitiers): Or; They measure the efficacy of His power, by the might of His words.[8]

## References

1. [Schweizer, Eduard](/source/Eduard_Schweizer), *The Good News According to Matthew.* Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1975 pg. 192

1. αὐτῶν (*autōn*), meaning "their", is missing in the [Textus Receptus](/source/Textus_Receptus)

1. Luz, Ulrich. *Matthew 1-7: A Continental Commentary*, 1992. pg. 455

1. [Gundry, Robert H.](/source/Robert_H._Gundry) *Matthew: a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art*, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982. pg 182

1. William David Davies & Dale C. Allison (Jr.) (1988). [*Matthew*](https://books.google.com/books?id=U3RhMwEACAAJ). Clark. p. 723. ISBN 978-0-567-09481-0.

1. [Gill's Exposition](http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/7.htm) on Matthew 7, accessed 20 December 2016

1. [Pulpit Commentary](http://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/7.htm) on Matthew 7, accessed 20 December 2016

1. ["Catena Aurea: commentary on the four Gospels; collected out of the works of the Fathers. Oxford: Parker, 1874. Thomas Aquinas"](https://archive.org/details/p1catenaaureacom01thomuoft/page/n19/mode/2up). Oxford, Parker. 1874.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Matthew 7:29](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_7%3A29) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_7%3A29?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.