These words were addressed to the disciples and the crowds that had gathered around. The Jewish religious leaders divorced morality and religion, and insisted that men should respect their office, whatever might be their personal character. The craving for this has been the temptation and bane of Christ's ministers in every age.
But how evidently our Lord condemns clerical and priestly assumption! With the two-edged sword, which pierces to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, He cuts between the professions and performances of these men. No more awful words were ever spoken! How true is Matthew 23:4! The hypocrite always spares himself, but is merciless in his demands on others. The true servant of God never exacts these titles as a rightful homage, or as indicating either superiority or special sanctity. We all have one Master and one Father; and, though our talents greatly differ, we stand on an absolute equality so far as saving grace is concerned. [source]
Chapter Summary: Mat 23
1Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples 5His disciples must beware of their ambition 13He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness, 34and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem
Greek Commentary for Matthew 23:10
Masters [κατηγηται] This word occurs here only in the N.T. It is found in the papyri for teacher (Latin, doctor). It is the modern Greek word for professor. “While διδασκαλος didaskalos represents αβ Rab κατηγητες kathēgētes stands for the more honourable αββαν βων Rabban διδασκαλος ̇bōn ” (McNeile). Dalman (Words of Jesus, p. 340) suggests that the same Aramaic word may be translated by either κατηγητες didaskalos or ο Χριστος kathēgētes Christ The use of these words here by Jesus like “Jesus Christ” in his Prayer (John 17:3) is held by some to show that they were added by the evangelist to what Jesus actually said, since the Master would not have so described himself. But he commended Peter for calling him “the Christ the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16.). We must not empty the consciousness of Jesus too much. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 23:10
John 1:38Rabbi [] My great one; my honorable sir. Explained by Jesus himself as διδάσκαλος , teacher (Matthew 23:8, where the proper reading is διδάσκαλος , instead of καθηγητὴς , guide, master, found in Matthew 23:10). Used by the Jews in addressing their teachers, and formed from a Hebrew root meaning great. It occurs commonly in John, and is found in Matthew and Mark, but not in Luke, who uses ἐπιστατής . See on Luke 5:5. [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 23:10 mean?
Greek Commentary for Matthew 23:10
This word occurs here only in the N.T. It is found in the papyri for teacher (Latin, doctor). It is the modern Greek word for professor. “While διδασκαλος didaskalos represents αβ Rab κατηγητες kathēgētes stands for the more honourable αββαν βων Rabban διδασκαλος ̇bōn ” (McNeile). Dalman (Words of Jesus, p. 340) suggests that the same Aramaic word may be translated by either κατηγητες didaskalos or ο Χριστος kathēgētes Christ The use of these words here by Jesus like “Jesus Christ” in his Prayer (John 17:3) is held by some to show that they were added by the evangelist to what Jesus actually said, since the Master would not have so described himself. But he commended Peter for calling him “the Christ the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16.). We must not empty the consciousness of Jesus too much. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 23:10
My great one; my honorable sir. Explained by Jesus himself as διδάσκαλος , teacher (Matthew 23:8, where the proper reading is διδάσκαλος , instead of καθηγητὴς , guide, master, found in Matthew 23:10). Used by the Jews in addressing their teachers, and formed from a Hebrew root meaning great. It occurs commonly in John, and is found in Matthew and Mark, but not in Luke, who uses ἐπιστατής . See on Luke 5:5. [source]