Speaking with Power

Matthew, Mark and Luke point out that Christ spoke "with power." The Greek word for "power" here means: "The power to do something with or without the added implication of authority." It is often translated "authority." The KJV translates it "power" in this instance, but in other instances "authority."

The KJV translation in Luke 4.32 is: And they were astonished at his doctrine; for his word was with power. Just to point out how difficult it is to translate the word precisely, the ESV reads: "His word possessed authority."

The sense of "power" in this passage then appears to be "power with authority." I take this to mean that it struck those who heard strongly; that they could not help but be affected by his word in a manner which caused them to change the direction of their lives.