Matthew 23:8-10 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 23:8

Be not ye ... - Jesus forbade his disciples to seek such titles of distinction. The reason which he gave was that he was himself their Master and Teacher, They were on a level; they were to be equal in authority; they were brethren; and they should neither covet nor receive a title which implied either an elevation of one above another, or which appeared to infringe on the absolute right of the Saviour to be their only Teacher and Master. The direction here is an express command to his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 23:9

And call no man your Father ... - This does not, of course, forbid us to apply the term to our real father. Religion requires all proper honor to be shown to Him, Exodus 20:12; Matthew 15:4; Ephesians 6:1-3. But the word “father” also denotes “authority, eminence, superiority, a right to command, and a claim to particular respect.” In this sense it is used here. In this sense it belongs eminently to God, and it is not right to give it to people. Christian brethren are equal. Only God has... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 23:10

Neither be ye called masters - That is, leaders, guides, for this is the literal meaning of the word. It refers to those who go before others; who claim, therefore, the right to direct and control others. This was also a title conferred on Jewish teachers.Neither of these commands forbids us to give proper titles of civil office to men, or to render them the honor belonging to their station, Matthew 22:21; Rom 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17. They prohibit the disciples of Jesus from seeking or receiving... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 23:8-10

Matthew 23:8-10. Be not ye called rabbi Do not affect those titles of reverence and respect which give too much honour or authority to man. The Jewish doctors were called rabbis, fathers, and masters, by their several disciples, whom they required both to believe implicitly what they affirmed, without asking any further reason, and to obey unreservedly what they enjoined, without seeking for any further authority. But our Lord here teaches his apostles, and their successors in the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:1-39

129. More about scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)Instead of teaching only the law of Moses, the scribes and Pharisees added countless laws of their own. Instead of making the people’s load lighter, they made it heavier. People could profit from listening to the scribes’ teaching of Moses’ law, but they were not to copy the scribes’ behaviour (Matthew 23:1-4).Jesus gave two specific reasons for his condemnation of the scribes. First, they wanted to make a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 23:8

Master = Leader, Guide, or Director. Greek. kathgetes, Occurs only here and in Matthew 23:10 . All the texts read didlaskalos, Teacher. even Christ. All the texts omit, with Syriac; but, Scrivener thinks, on insufficient authority. Christ. See App-98 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 23:9

father. This is against those who loved to he so called. upon. Greek. epi. App-104 . Father. See App-98 . heaven = the heavens. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 23:10

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ.Christ paid his respects to three titles in the passage before us, namely, Rabbi, Father, and Master; but the principle certainly applies to all titles that might be used in such a manner, that is, to elicit religious respect and acceptance. Even the use of "Brother" as the exclusive property of the preacher serves to take it away from others equally entitled to it; and therefore it should be used for all and not parlayed... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 23:8-11

Matthew 23:8-11. But be not ye called Rabbi— The Apostles of Christ were to be very different, both in temper and conduct, from the Jewish teachers. They were to decline being called Rabbi, because the thing signified by it belonged solely to their Master, in whom all the treasuries of knowledge and wisdom are hid; and who for that reason is the only infallible director of men's consciences; also because they owed none of their knowledge to themselves, but derived it entirely from him; in which... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 23:8

8. But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master—your Guide, your Teacher. read more