Mat 23:8-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 23:8-12: 23:8-12 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 ; 18:15-20 ). The terms Rabbi, Father, and Teacher are roughly equivalent. 23:8 Rabbi: These men functioned in Judaism as mediators for dispensing knowledge about God (see 23:7 ). The new covenant, by contrast, has only one teacher , Jesus himself as Messiah (see Jer 31:31-34 ).

a23:8-12►

b12:46-50►

c18:15-20►

d23:8►

e23:7►

fJer 31:31-34►

g23:9►

h1:4►

i6:9►

jMal 2:10►

k1 Cor 4:15►

l23:10►

m5:17►

‏ Matthew 23:8-10

Summary for Matt 23:8-12: 23:8-12 ^a 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 ^b; 18:15-20 ^c). The terms Rabbi, Father, and Teacher are roughly equivalent. 23:8 ^d Rabbi: These men functioned in Judaism as mediators for dispensing knowledge about God (see 23:7 ^e). The new covenant, by contrast, has only one teacher, Jesus himself as Messiah (see Jer 31:31-34 ^f).
23:9 ^g Writings from later Judaism provide ample evidence of revering the teachers by calling them Father (see, e.g., Mishnah Eduyyoth 1:4 ^h).

• God ... is your Father: See 6:9 ⁱ; Mal 2:10 ^j; cp. 1 Cor 4:15 ^k.
23:10 ^l 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 ^m).