“Never Has A Man Spoken The Way This Man Speaks”

by Chris Simmons

In John 7:1, we read that Jesus was aware of those who “were seeking to kill Him” because of their hatred for Him (John 7:7). In spite of the opposition, Jesus continued to teach in the temple (verse 26) as He always sought to do (Mark 1:38). Some were “astonished” at His teaching (verse 15) yet others accused Him of having a demon (verse 20) and sought to “seize Him” (verse 30) even though they recognized the “signs” He performed (verse 31). There was indeed a “division” (verse 43) that occurred over Jesus with some recognizing Jesus as “the Prophet” (verse 40) or “the Christ” (verse 41) and others who still desired to seize Him (verse 44). Aware of the fact that many were speaking of Jesus’ miracles, we read in verse 32 that the chief priests and Pharisees commissioned officers to go and “seize” Jesus. When the officers sent to seize Jesus returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, they did so without Jesus. When asked why, their reply revealed a truth about Jesus’ teaching that we would do well to consider. They replied in verse 46, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” What was it that these officers heard and observed about the manner in which Jesus taught and can we learn anything from it?

First of all, we must conclude from John 7:46 that Jesus’ manner of teaching was unique and unlike anyone else – ever before or ever since. As the Messiah, the Son of God, He alone could claim a teaching that was “not Mine, but is His who sent Me” (John 7:16) as Jesus sought “the glory of the One who sent Him” (John 7:18). In that day, the Pharisees had assumed the right to legislate and dictate the religious affairs of men. No one had ever taught before that ascribed their teaching to God and sought His glory. Rather all their teachers sought their own glory. As we strive to teach and preach the truth of God, we will find ourselves also proclaiming a unique message that is so very distinct from the doctrines of men.

Second, Jesus was noted for the gracious manner in which He taught. As Jesus began His ministry, we read beginning in Luke 4:16 that Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, read from Isaiah the prophet and then proclaimed in verse 21 that “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” We read in verse 22 that “all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips.” Indeed, so much more than just a soothing tone and pleasant inflection to His voice, what others noticed was the substance of Jesus’ teaching and how He came teaching how man could obtain the grace of God. Prophesying of Jesus in Psalms 45:2, it is said of the Messiah, “You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon (or through) Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.” Indeed, as Paul wrote to Titus (2:11-12), “for the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.” Grace came teaching!

Third, we need to note and emulate the way that Jesus taught openly and plainly. We read in John 18:19-22, “The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.’” Jesus was not secretive nor reticent in His teaching. There weren’t any hidden agendas, secretive discussions or secluded meetings. Jesus could aptly respond to any questions about “His teaching” with a directive to question those who listened to Him. It didn’t matter whether His audience believed that He was the Messiah or whether they rejected Him and wanted to kill Him, Jesus continued to preach and teach the message “in season and out of season” (II Timothy 4:2). Just as Paul in Ephesians 6:19-20 desired the prayers of his brethren that he might “make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” and “speak boldly, as I ought to speak,” so we too should seek to be like our Master and our Teacher (Luke 6:40) and pray for boldness and clarity in our preaching and teaching.

Fourth, Jesus taught with authority. Those who listened to Jesus preach what we call the “Sermon on the Mount” heard Jesus repeatedly use the expression “you have heard it said … but I say to you” (i.e., Matthew 5:38-39) and proclaim the standard of righteousness to govern in His kingdom. We read in Matthew 7:28-29, that when Jesus “had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” As noted earlier in John 7:16-18, Jesus ascribed His teaching to His heavenly Father and not to Himself. Jesus recognized only two standards of authority in Matthew 21:23-27: “from heaven or from men.” Jesus taught only that which was from heaven and we likewise must follow in His steps and only preach and teach the “utterances of God” (I Peter 4:11) and respect and “retain the standard of sound words” (I Timothy 1:13).

Having committed to teaching the authority “from heaven,” Jesus was also then noted for the wisdom and understanding His teaching demonstrated. Even as a boy, there were those who “were amazed at His understanding” (Luke 2:47) and later during His ministry, after Jesus “spoke many things to them in parables” in Matthew chapter 13, we read in verse 54 that those who heard Him asked the question “where did this man get this wisdom?” Jesus didn’t sit at the feet of the scribes or chief priests yet His teaching was filled with divine wisdom from His Father. Today, many would suggest that one would need to attend a prestigious seminary or preaching school to have such wisdom. We need to understand that anyone who respects the authority that comes “from heaven,” and who is willing to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15) can also impart the wisdom and understanding of God. Jesus’ teaching was unlike any others because of the impact it had on those who heard: they understood the will of God and became spiritually wise.

Jesus’ distinctive teaching was not to end with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Rather, Jesus’ parting words upon this earth in Matthew 28:19-20 were to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Will we commit ourselves to follow in His steps?