When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. -- Matt 7:28-29 NIV
It is easy for us to say Jesus' authority came from GOD because Jesus IS GOD. But those at that time had never experienced anyone like Him. He spoke as One who knows, not repeating the Law, but fulfilling it. He spoke with power, enough that the demons quailed. He healed and the only ones before Him who had were the prophets. But the people came to know that He was more than the prophets; select came to know that He was more than the Law. His very revelation of Himself was the essence of authority: He could lay down His life, and take it up again. What prophet, what teacher, what priest, what false Messiah could do that?
"The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Luke 7:22 NIV) This was Jesus' response to the disciples of John the Baptist who came to ask if He was the Messiah. Who else but one with true authority could do those things?
Jesus had, has now, and ever will have power and authority. The fullness of it was hidden while He was man, but Authority He was, nonetheless.
