And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Parallel translations
- WEB the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
- 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 1:38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
- John 1:49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
- John 6:25And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
- John 20:16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
- John 3:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
- John 3:26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
- Mark 9:5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
- Matt 23:8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
- Mark 10:51And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.