Matthew 23:8-12 But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brothers.… The reasons for this caution are evident. 1. When the gospel began to be preached, men who were convinced of its truth, and inclined to receive it, were often in danger of incurring the displeasure of their nearest relations and dearest friends, of father and mother, as also of the rulers in Church and State. 2. The Jews at that time were accustomed to pay a blind and slavish deference to their spiritual fathers, their doctors, and wise men, and to prefer their authority even to that of their prophets and of their own sacred books. 3. Our Saviour foresaw that the same corruption would enter into His Church, and the same slavish obedience to the traditions and doctrines of men; that fathers, and monks, and councils, and synods, and prelates, and popes would at last so engross all power, both spiritual and temporal, and abuse it to such an enormous degree, that scarcely the shadow of Christianity would remain in the Christian Church. (J. Jortin.) Parallel Verses KJV: But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.WEB: But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. |
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