• Defeating Temptation: When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus answered every challenge from Satan by quoting the Old Testament with the phrase, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10; Deuteronomy 6:13,16).

• Resolving Disputes: He frequently settled theological debates by pointing directly to the written text, asking questions like, “Have you not read…?” (Matthew 19:4; Matthew 22:31).

• Affirming Reliability: He declared that the Scriptures “cannot be broken” (John 10:35) and that not the smallest letter or stroke would pass from the Law until all was accomplished (Matthew 5:18).

• Correcting Human Tradition: He rebuked religious leaders for letting their own oral traditions nullify the clear commands of God’s written Word (Mark 7:8–13; Matthew 22:29).

• Fulfillment of His Mission: He viewed His own life, suffering, and resurrection as the necessary fulfillment of what the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had written about Him (Luke 24:44; John 5:39).

Jesus used the scriptures as his authority, thus proving the final authority lies, not with Jesus, but with the scriptures.

Jesus admitted he isn’t the final authority

Jesus himself freely admitted that he is not the final authority:

​”He will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority”—John 7:17 ESV

“I have not spoken on my own authority”—John 12:49 ESV

​”I do not speak on my own authority”—John 14:10 ESV

“It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set by His own authority”—Acts 1:7 LSB

Conclusion

“All scripture is inspired by God” ( 2 Timothy 3:16).

Jesus viewed “the Scriptures”, not himself, as “the word of God” (John 10:35 NLT), and as his final authority. Since Jesus serves as “an example” for us to “follow” (1 Peter 2:21 LSB), we should also view the scriptures as our sole authority.

For more information related to this subject, please see the following article on this website:

“Test” “All Things” By “The Scriptures” That Bible Scholars Teach