And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Ver. 28. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings] All this then was but one sermon, though twice preached at various times, as some collect out of Luke. A long sermon it was, and yet the people staid it out. So did not those Capernaites, John 6:66, and therefore fell away from Christ; so did not Judas, and therefore met the devil at the door,John 13:30. It is a lamentable thing that a winter's tale shall be heard with more patience and pleasure than a powerful sermon; that if a preacher exceed his time sometimes people sit at as little ease as if they were in a fit of an ague; and others profanely turn their backs upon the propitiatory, and depart without the blessing, Ezekiel 44:5. In the Council of Agathon it was decreed that none should presume to go out before the minister had blessed the congregation. And in the fourth Council of Carthage, Let him that goes out of the auditory when the minister is speaking to the congregation, be excommunicated. Ite missa est, Go it has been sent. Αφεσις λαου, were the old forms of dismission. And although Zacharias was long ere he came forth, yet the people staid his coming, Luke 1:21. But the word of the Lord is to the wicked a burden, Jeremiah 23:33,34, cords and bonds, Psalms 2:3, yokes and bonds, Jeremiah 5:5. Hence they are so soon sated, and their attentions tired out and jaded, as it were.
The people were astonished at his doctrine] They were strangely transported, and enraptured with an ecstasy of admiration and amazement. a They were at such a pass that they could neither say nor do, but stood amazed with their eyes set in their heads, as the word importeth. And surely the word never worketh so kindly as when it is received with admiration; yet may we not rest in that, as too many do; but get it mingled with faith in our hearts that works by love, "holding fast the faithful word," as Paul bids Timothy, that part of it especially that in hearing he is pleased to sweeten unto us by the taste of his special goodness.
a εξεπλησσοντο. Ubi animus quasi attonitus, nec loquitur, nec quicquam agit, sed apertis oculis aliquantisper quietus manet. Lvser.