Who has the authority to interpret the Word of God? The living Word Himself. For example, suppose one day you come across a beautiful poem. It is filled with flowing language and vivid images, clearly the signs of genius. The poem moves you and inspires you. As you read and reread it, you find deeper and deeper meanings. It helps you understand your world. You share the poem with your friends, and they agree that it is something special.
Then one day you meet someone who tells you, “I wrote the poem. I am the author.”
“Wow!” Your heart leaps for joy. “Tell me more,” you say. “Tell me about the poem. Why did you say this here, and what about this other part over there?”
The author begins to explain, but he tells you things that you didn’t expect. His explanation is different from what you understand. This is a little disconcerting. You will eventually have to make a choice: 1) to accept the author and his explanation of the poem, or 2) to reject the author and his explanation.
This happened to the people in the time of Jesus. Their scripture and laws were holy, inspired by God. The priests and religious scholars of that time had become experts in the meaning of the scripture and law. But Jesus explained their meaning in a new way. Some of the people heard and believed Him, while others, particularly the priests and religious leaders rejected Him. They rejected what He said, and they claimed that He was not obeying the law. In response, Jesus validated His authority.
How did Jesus demonstrate his authority to interpret the law and the scriptures?
1. By referring to scripture.
“And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” (Luke 6:1-5)
2. Through His innate authority, which was recognized by the people.
“Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill… But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment… Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets…. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 5:21-22, 7:12, 7:28, 29)
“And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” (John 10:4)
3. By His own testimony, and that of His Father.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
“The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
“Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. (John 8:12-19)
The third principle of this Bible study is that Christ, as the living Word of God, fully understands and has the authority to interpret the Bible, the written Word of God.