Note 4 at Mt. 23:8: As explained in note 2 at John 1:38, page 40, the term "rabbi" primarily meant "master," although it could refer to a doctor or teacher. Jesus' statement that we should not call any man "master" (vv. 8 and 10) is not to be taken that we should not submit to those in authority over us, for that would violate many scriptures in God's Word (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:20 - 4:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-20). Ephesians 6:5,9 and Colossians 4:1 even use this terminology in referring to human relationships. Therefore, this must be speaking of making some man your master in the sense of Lordship and not of a social or civil situation.

Likewise, Jesus tells us not to call any man on earth "Father" (v. 9). This is not speaking of a physical, father- son relationship since the apostle Paul applied this term to people often (Rom. 4:11-12,16; 1 Cor. 5:1; Eph. 5:31; 6:2; 1 Th. 2:11; 1 Tim. 1:9; 5:1; Heb. 7:3,10; 12:7; Jas. 1;27; 2:21). Paul even referred to himself as being a father to the believers in Corinth in a spiritual sense (1 Cor. 4:15). However, Paul made it clear that the head of every man is Christ (1 Cor. 11:3). Therefore, Paul was not emphasizing the sovereignty of a father but rather referring to the part he played in their spiritual birth.

In both of these instances, the point that Jesus is clearly making is not to seek self-exaltation or recognition through titles. As Proverbs 27:2 so aptly puts it, "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." Trying to apply these statements with an unreasonable literalism could make us just like these Pharisees Jesus is rebuking who "strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel" (v. 24).