Matthew 23:5-12
23:5 a prayer boxes: Pious Jews wore, on the head and upper left arm, a small pouch or box (phylactery) containing written copies of important Old Testament commands (see Deut 6:6-9 b; 11:18-19 c).• Wearing tassels was another custom associated with piety (see Matt 9:20 d; see also Num 15:38-41 e). Lengthening the tassels called attention to their wearer’s pious practices.
23:6 f The seats of honor in the synagogues were near the scrolls of the Torah and facing the congregation.
23:7 g Rabbi was a title of authority and respect.
Summary for Matt 23:8-12: 23:8-12 h Jesus does not prohibit the use of titles (especially for one’s own father), but rather the assumption of undue honor by those who transmit knowledge about God. The community of Jesus is a group of equals, each of whom knows God (see 12:46-50 i; 18:15-20 j). The terms Rabbi, Father, and Teacher are roughly equivalent. 23:8 k Rabbi: These men functioned in Judaism as mediators for dispensing knowledge about God (see 23:7 l). The new covenant, by contrast, has only one teacher, Jesus himself as Messiah (see Jer 31:31-34 m).
23:9 n Writings from later Judaism provide ample evidence of revering the teachers by calling them Father (see, e.g., Mishnah Eduyyoth 1:4 o).
• God ... is your Father: See 6:9 p; Mal 2:10 q; cp. 1 Cor 4:15 r.
23:10 s Teacher: This title denotes the function and office of leading others into knowledge about God. Jesus, not the scribes and Pharisees, is the teacher of God’s will (5:17 t).
Summary for Matt 23:11-12: 23:11-12 u Jesus’ disciples should lead by serving, in stark contrast to Israel’s religious leaders (who are described in 23:5-7 v).
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