“They Were Astonished”

That’s a line that was used a lot to describe the people’s reaction to Jesus’ teaching.
“They were amazed.”
“They were astonished.”

Oh, baby were they ever astonished.

Certainly it was kind of cool to have someone teach “as one who had authority.” Unlike the other religious teachers (atheists say that Jesus only copied the teachings of earlier religious leaders - wrong yet again), Jesus didn’t try to impress them with how well read He was and how many sources He could cite. That was a nice change. But the real reason that they were astonished? Nobody had ever talked to them like that before.

For those looking for forgiveness?
Grace and Mercy was offered.

For those who thought they were good people?
Harsh doesn’t half describe how Jesus tore into them.

Jesus could not believe how stupid these “good” people were, how cavalier their attitude was regarding eternity in hell. They were so far from understanding His message that Jesus was relentless in pointing out their need for heaven. He did this by pointing out their sin over and over and over again.

They loved watching His miracles
He reprimanded them for it.

They loved it when He fed them.
He chastised them for it.

He told them, “It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

They were astonished.

They were amazed.

And then they killed Him.