Note 2 at Joh 1:38: "Rabbi" primarily means "master" (Vine's Expository Dictionary), although it could sometimes be used to denote "doctor" or "teacher." All those in the ruling class of the Pharisees were called by this title, and it became a very vain thing for them (Mt 23:8). They used the term to signify fatherhood or authority; Jesus denounced this use (see note 4 at Mt 23:8), saying that God alone held that position.