Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 1:22

"And they were astonished at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes." — Mark 1:22 (ASV)

While we are not told what Jesus said in the synagogue, the congregation reacted with amazement to his message. Jesus did not have to quote the authorities (“Rabbi so-and-so says such-and-such”); his authority came straight from God. His preaching stood in contrast to the teachers of the law, the scholars professionally trained in the interpretation and application of the law.