Standing thus, with the eyes of all the people riveted upon him, he addressed them as no man had ever done. His knowledge was greater than that of the learned priests and elders, and he assumed an authority which they had never ventured to take. Those very men who had so lately been wrought up to a frenzy of hate, and were ready to do violence to Christ at the first opportunity, now listened spell-bound to his words, and felt themselves powerless to do him harm. He was the attraction of the hour; all other interests were forgotten for the time. The hearts of the people thrilled with awe as they listened to his divine words. {2SP 339.1}

Idet Jesus stod således for folket, og alles øjne var fæstnede på ham, tiltalte han dem på en måde, som endnu aldrig noget menneske havde gjort. Hans kundskab var større end de lærde præsters og ældstes, og han trådte frem med en myndighed, som så nyligt havde været opirret til yderligt had og været rede til at lægge hænder på Kristus ved første anledning, lyttede nu med spændt opmærksomhed til hans ord og følte sig aldeles ude af stand til at gøre ham nogen fortræd. Alles opmærksomhed var nu hen vent til ham, alle andre interesser blev tilsidesatte for nærværende. Folkets hjerte bævede af frygt, idet de lyttede til hans guddommelige ord.