What does it mean for Jesus to teach as one who had authority and how was this different from other teachers of the time?
For Jesus to teach as one who had authority means that he claimed authority in himself for this teaching and did not refer to others in order to defend and support his views. The language that Jesus used at least implies that he is God’s prophetic spokesperson (Ezekiel 33:32–33), but it is even more authoritative than for prophets. The claim is higher. It is not enough to see him as prophet, one must recognise him as Lord (Matthew 7:21).1 Jesus speaks with authority as the Son of God.2
29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.