But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Parallel translations
- WEB But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
- BSB But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
- NKJV But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
- NASB But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
- NLT “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.
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
Disciples must not seek the title 'Rabbi,' for they have one Teacher, the Christ, and are all brothers. It calls believers to humility and equality under Christ's sole authority.
Overview
Jesus forbids his followers to grasp at titles that exalt them as authorities over others. Christ alone is the ultimate Teacher, and all believers stand as equals before him. This is not an absolute ban on every use of words like teacher, but a warning against a spirit of self-exaltation, since spiritual mastery belongs to Christ alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Jas 3:1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
- Luke 22:32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
- 1 Pet 5:3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
- 1 Cor 1:12–13Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
- Rev 1:9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- Matt 23:10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
- Matt 17:5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
- Col 1:1–2Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
- Rom 14:9–10For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
- Eph 3:15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
- John 13:13–14Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
- Matt 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
- Rev 22:9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
- Rev 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
- 2 Cor 1:24Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
- 1 Cor 3:3–5For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
- 2 Cor 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- Matt 26:49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
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 23:8 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.