synagogue; but, unlike any other teacher whom his audience had heard hitherto, he neither quoted nor relied on any great rabbinic names as precedent for his teaching. His hearers were amazed, not only at the content of his teaching, but also at the assumption of personal authority4 displayed in the manner of its presentation. This was in direct contrast to the caution and pettifogging of the scribes, to whom the new handling of law and tradition by Jesus must have seemed cavalier, to say the least.