Matthew 23 · Verse 7

Matthew 23:7

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Matthew 23:7, King James Version

Matthew 23:7 in other translations

BSBthe greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.
WEBthe salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
ASVand the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi.
YLTand the salutations in the market-places, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
DARBYand salutations in the market-places, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
BBEAnd words of respect in the market-places, and to be named by men, Teacher.
WebsterAnd greetings in the markets, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

What does Matthew 23:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi--It is the spirit rather than the letter of this that must be pressed; though the violation of the letter, springing from spiritual pride, has done incalculable evil in the Church of Christ. The reiteration of the word "Rabbi" shows how it tickled the ear and fed the spiritual pride of those ecclesiastics.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. Greetings in the markets. Marks of particular respect shown to them in public places. Markets were places where multitudes of people were assembled together. They were pleased with particular attention among the multitude, and desired that all should show them particular respect.

Greetings. Salutations. Lk 10:4.

To be called--Rabbi, Rabbi. This word literally signifies great. It was a title given to eminent teachers of the law among the Jews; a title of honour and dignity, denoting their authority and ability to teach. They were gratified with such titles, and wished it given to themselves as denoting superiority. Every time it was given to them it implied their superiority to the persons who used it; and they were fond, therefore, of hearing it often applied to them. There were three titles in use among the Jews--Rab, Rabbi, and Rabban--denoting different degrees of learning and ability, as literary degrees do among us.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 To be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi - רבי רבי, i.e. My teacher! my teacher! The second rabbi is omitted by several excellent MSS., by most of the ancient versions, and by some of the fathers. Griesbach has left it in the text, with the note of doubtfulness. There are three words used among the Jews as titles of dignity, which they apply to their doctors - Rabh, Rabbi, and Rabban; each of these terms has its particular meaning: rabban implies much more than rabbi, and rabbi much more than rabh. They may be considered as three degrees of comparison: rabh great, rabbi greater, and rabban greatest. These rabbins were looked up to as infallible oracles in religious matters, and usurped not only the place of the law, but of God himself.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 23:1-12

The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses, and enforced obedience to it. They are charged with hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge according to outward appearance; but God searches the heart. They made phylacteries. These were scrolls of paper or parchment, wherein were written four paragraphs of the law, to be worn on their foreheads and left arms, Ex 13:2-10; 13:11-16; De 6:4-9; 11:13-21. They made…

Read the full comment on Matthew 23:1-12 →

Matthew 23:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532
τοὺςtoustheG3588
ἀσπασμοὺςaspasmousgreetingsG783
ἐνeninG1722
ταῖςtaistheG3588
ἀγοραῖςagoraismarketplacesG58
καὶkaiandG2532
καλεῖσθαιkaleisthaito be calledG2564
ὑπὸhupobyG5259
τῶνtōn<the>G3588
ἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōnmenG444
ῥαββίrhabbiRabbiG4461
ῥαββί.rhabbiRabbi.G4461

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 23:7

  • John 1:38

    Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

  • John 1:49

    Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

  • John 3:2

    The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

  • John 6:25

    And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

  • John 3:26

    And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

  • John 20:16

    Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

  • Matthew 23:8

    But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

  • Mark 9:5

    And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

  • Mark 10:51

    And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rabbi.
Joh 1:38,49; 3:2,26; 6:25; 20:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 23:6

    And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

  • Matthew 23:7

    And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

  • Matthew 23:8

    But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Read all of Matthew 23

Matthew 23:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y las salutaciones en las plazas, y ser llamados de los hombres Rabbí, Rabbí.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et les salutations dans les places publiques, et à être appelés par les hommes: Rabbi, Rabbi!
German
Elberfelder 1871		und die Begrüßungen auf den Märkten und von den Menschen Rabbi, Rabbi! genannt zu werden.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et salutationes in foro, et vocari ab hominibus Rabbi.