And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
And straightway all the people [`the multitude' ho (G3588 ) ochlos (G3793 )], when they behold him, were greatly amazed, [ exethambeethee (G1568 ) - or 'were astounded'] and running to him saluted him. The singularly strong expression of surprise, the sudden arrest of the discussion, and the rush of the multitude toward Him, can be accounted for by nothing less than something amazing in His appearance. There can hardly be any doubt that His countenance still retained traces of His transfiguration-glory. (See Exodus 34:29-30.) So Bengel, DeWette, Meyer, Trench, Alford. No wonder, if this was the case, that they not only ran to Him, but saluted Him. Our Lord, however, takes no notice of what had attracted them, and probably it gradually faded away as He drew near; but addressing Himself to the scribes, He demands the subject of their discussion, ready to meet them where they had pressed hard upon His half-instructed, and as yet timid apostles.