the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
Parallel translations
- KJV And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
- BSB the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.
- NKJV greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
- NASB and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people.
- NLT They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
They love public greetings and being addressed with honorific titles like 'Rabbi.' It continues the indictment of pride seeking human esteem.
Overview
The leaders relished deferential greetings in public places and titles that elevated them above others. Their religion fed their ego rather than glorifying God. This sets up Jesus' instruction that his disciples must not pursue such titles or status, since all stand together as brothers under one Master.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- John 1:38Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”
- John 1:49Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
- John 6:25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
- John 20:16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
- John 3:2The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
- John 3:26They came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”
- Mark 9:5Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
- Matt 23:8But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
- Mark 10:51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 23:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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