The Meaning of Matthew 22:33 Explained

Matthew 22:33

KJV: And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

YLT: And having heard, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching;

Darby: And when the crowds heard it they were astonished at his doctrine.

ASV: And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  when the multitude  heard  [this], they were astonished  at  his  doctrine. 

What does Matthew 22:33 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Matthew closed his account of this encounter by recording the reaction of the multitude, not the reaction of the Sadducees. Probably few of the Sadducees changed their theology as a result of this conversation since they continued to oppose Jesus. However the reaction of the crowd shows that Jesus" teaching had a powerful impact. To the unprejudiced observer, Jesus" arguments, authority, and understanding of the Old Testament were astonishing. Matthew undoubtedly hoped this would be the reaction of his readers too.
This pericope reveals the intensity of the opposition to Jesus that existed among Israel"s leaders. This was the third group to try to trap Him in one day. It also shows the guilt of Israel"s leaders since they did not understand either the Scriptures or God"s power. Jesus had spoken of people entering the kingdom after death ( Matthew 22:10). To do so there would have to be a resurrection. Jesus also confirmed belief that the patriarchs would live in the kingdom by what He said. Thus Jesus" teaching about resurrection answered questions about participation in the kingdom because of its postponement. Not many in Jesus" immediate audience may have understood this, but Matthew"s readers could.

Context Summary

Matthew 22:23-33 - The Scriptures Teach The Resurrection
The Sadducees professed themselves to be bound by the Pentateuch, and to have searched in vain for evidences of a life beyond. They were greatly startled, therefore, when our Lord proved human immortality from the book of Exodus. He had never passed through their schools and sat at the feet of their great teachers, but He showed them that "at the Bush" the voice of God attested eternal life.
The great I AM would never have spoken of Himself as the God of the patriarchs, centuries after their earthly career had closed, unless they had been living somewhere still. It was certain that they were all alive; otherwise God would have said, "I was their God." Death is not a chamber, but a passage; not an abiding-place, but a crossing over; not a state, but an act, an experience, a crossing of the bar, a going within the veil. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the myriads who have warred and stormed over the earth, are living as intensely as ever. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 22

1  The parable of the marriage of the king's son
9  The vocation of the Gentiles
12  The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment
15  Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar
23  Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;
34  answers which is the first and great commandment;
41  and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah

Greek Commentary for Matthew 22:33

They were astonished [εχεπλησσοντο]
Descriptive imperfect passive showing the continued amazement of the crowds. They were struck out (literally). [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 22:33 mean?

And having heard the crowds were astonished at the teaching of Him
Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ ὄχλοι ἐξεπλήσσοντο ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ

ἀκούσαντες  having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
ὄχλοι  crowds 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.
ἐξεπλήσσοντο  were  astonished 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐκπλήσσω  
Sense: to strike out, expel by a blow, drive out or away.
ἐπὶ  at 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
διδαχῇ  teaching 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: διδαχή  
Sense: teaching.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.