Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. (Mk 1:21-28)
Jesus entered the synagogue on a sabbath to teach. Jesus was a Jew and he followed the traditions of the Jews. He was faithful to the traditions but with a difference. He was not a passive participant of the traditions that is just being pietistic. Rather he was an active participant of the laws and traditions.
He was a man of authority. His authority was seen in his teachings and he had authority over unclean spirits and people recognized his authority. ("What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.)
His authority is related to his teachings and healing ministry. His authority is related to the kingdom. His teachings and his mission were ushering in the kingdom. It is the kingdom of God. God was entering into the world in his teachings and ministry. And this is the reason of his new teaching with authority. Authority from God.
