Answer: The crowds were amazed at Jesus' teaching because He taught as one who had AUTHORITY, and He did not teach like the teachers of the law they were used to hearing, (verses 28 and 29).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Since God has given Jesus ALL authority both in heaven and on earth, we must listen ONLY to the Words of Jesus and OBEY Him to be pleasing to God. Unlike the teachers of the law, who twisted and defiled the laws of God, Jesus taught only those things that He was commanded by His Father. He was obedient to the Father in all things.
Daniel 7:13-14: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was One like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."
Matthew 28:18: "Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.'"
John 2:18-19: "Then the Jews demanded of Him, ‘What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?' Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'"
John 5:26-27: [Jesus said,] "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man."
John 10:17-18: [Jesus said,]"The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My Own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father."
John 12:47-50: "As for the person who hears My Words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not accept My Words; that very Word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of My Own accord, but the Father Who sent Me commanded Me what to say and how to say it. I know that His command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told Me to say."
John 14:31: "but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me."
John 17:1-3: "After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent.'"
Colossians 2:9-10: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, Who is the head over every power and authority."
