SEV Biblia, Chapter 23:8
Mas vosotros, no queris ser llamados Rabí; porque uno es vuestro Maestro, el Cristo; y todos vosotros sois hermanos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:8
Verse 8. But be not ye called Rabbi] As our Lord probably spoke in Hebrew, the latter word rabbi, in this verse, must have been in the plural; but as the contracted form of the plural sounds almost exactly like the singular, the Greek writer would naturally express them both in the same letters. None of the prophets had ever received this title, nor any of the Jewish doctors before the time of Hillel and Shammai, which was about the time of our Lord; and, as disputes on several subjects had run high between these two schools, the people were of course divided; some acknowledging Hillel as rabbi,-infallible teacher, and others giving this title to Shammai.
The Pharisees, who always sought the honour that comes from men, assumed the title, and got their followers to address them by it. See on chap. xix. 3.
One is your Master] Instead of kaqhghthv, guide or leader, (the common reading here, and which occurs in ver. 10,) the famous Vatican MS., upwards of fifty others, and most of the ancient versions, read didaskalov, master. The most eminent critics approve of this reading and, independently of the very respectable authority by which it is supported, it is evident that this reading is more consistent with the context than the other,] Be not ye called MASTERS, for one is your MASTER.
Even Christ] Griesbach has left this out of the text, because it is wanting in many of the most excellent MSS., versions, and fathers. Mill and Bengel approve of the omission. It might have been brought into this verse from ver. 10. Our Lord probably alludes to Isa. liv. 13, All thy children shall be taught of the Lord.
Ye are brethren.] No one among you is higher than another, or can possibly have from me any jurisdiction over the rest. Ye are, in this respect, perfectly equal.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. But be not ye called Rabbi , etc.] Do not be ambitious of any such title, fond of it, or affect it, or be elated with it, should it be given you; nor look upon yourselves as men of power and authority over others; as having the dominion over mens faith, a power to make laws for others, impose them in a magisterial way, and bind and loose mens consciences at pleasure, as these men do: for one is your master, even Christ ; meaning himself, the true Messiah, the head of the church, King of saints, and Lord of all; who had all power in heaven and in earth, to make laws, appoint ordinances, and oblige men to receive his doctrines, and obey his commands: the word Christ, is left out in the Vulgate Latin, the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; but is in the Arabic version, and Munsters Hebrew Gospel, and in all the ancient Greek copies Beza consulted, excepting two: no other indeed can be meant; he is the great Rabbi, and doctor, that is to be hearkened to, and the master we are all to obey: and all ye are brethren ; not merely as the descendants of Adam, but as being in a spiritual relation, the children of God, and disciples of Christ, and so have no superiority one over another: this may regard the disciples, both as believers and Christians, partakers of the same grace, and standing in the same relation to God, Christ, and one another, and having an equal right to the same privileges: and as apostles and ministers, one as such, no, not Peter, having no pre-eminence over the other, having the same commission, doctrine, and authority, one as the other.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses, and enforce 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. The made these phylacteries broad, that they might be thought more zealou for the law than others. God appointed the Jews to make fringes upo their garments, Nu 15:38, to remind them of their being a peculia people; but the Pharisees made them larger than common, as if they wer thereby more religious than others. Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which ou Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against. For him that is taugh in the word to give respect to him that teaches, is commendable; but for him that teaches, to demand it, to be puffed up with it, is sinful How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity! The consisten disciple of Christ is pained by being put into chief places. But wh that looks around on the visible church, would think this was the spirit required? It is plain that some measure of this antichristia spirit prevails in every religious society, and in every one of ou hearts.
Greek Textus Receptus
υμεις 5210 P-2NP δε 1161 CONJ μη 3361 PRT-N κληθητε 2564 5686 V-APS-2P ραββι 4461 HEB εις 1520 A-NSM γαρ 1063 CONJ εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S υμων 5216 P-2GP ο 3588 T-NSM καθηγητης 2519 N-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM χριστος 5547 N-NSM παντες 3956 A-NPM δε 1161 CONJ υμεις 5210 P-2NP αδελφοι 80 N-NPM εστε 2075 5748 V-PXI-2P
Robertson's NT Word Studies
23:8 {But be not ye called Rabbi} (humeis de me kleqete rabbei). An apparent aside to the disciples. Note the emphatic position of humeis. Some even regard verses #8-10 as a later addition and not part of this address to the Pharisees, but the apostles were present. Euthymius Zigabenus says: "Do not seek to be called (ingressive aorist subjunctive), if others call you this it will not be your fault." this is not far from the Master's meaning. Rabbi means "my great one,"my Master," apparently a comparatively new title in Christ's time.
