Matthew 23:10 kjv
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Matthew 23:10 nkjv
And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
Matthew 23:10 niv
Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
Matthew 23:10 esv
Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
Matthew 23:10 nlt
And don't let anyone call you 'Teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Messiah.
Matthew 23 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 23:8 | "But you, do not be called Rabbi, for you have one Teacher, the Christ…" | Parallel instruction against taking human titles. |
| Matt 23:9 | "And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." | Similar instruction regarding familial spiritual authority due only to God. |
| Jn 13:13 | "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am." | Jesus affirms His own unique position as Teacher and Lord. |
| Col 1:18 | "He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning…" | Christ's supreme headship over His church. |
| Eph 1:22 | "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church." | Christ's ultimate authority granted by the Father. |
| Heb 3:1 | "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus." | Christ as the ultimate messenger and mediator. |
| Heb 12:2 | "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…" | Christ as the complete source and goal of faith. |
| Ps 25:5 | "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation…" | God is the ultimate instructor and guide. |
| Ps 32:8 | "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go…" | God's promise to instruct His people. |
| Isa 54:13 | "All your children shall be taught by the Lord…" | God's promise of divine instruction to His people. |
| Jer 31:34 | "No more shall every man teach his neighbor… for they all shall know Me…" | The New Covenant promise of direct knowledge of God. |
| Jn 14:26 | "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things…" | The Holy Spirit's role in conveying Christ's teaching. |
| Jn 16:13 | "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…" | The Spirit's ongoing guidance in truth. |
| 1 Cor 1:12 | "Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos'…" | Warning against factionalism based on human leaders. |
| Gal 1:1 | "Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father)…" | Apostolic authority derived directly from Christ, not human recognition. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And He Himself gave some to be apostles… prophets… evangelists… pastors and teachers…" | Distinguishes appointed spiritual gifts (for equipping) from ultimate spiritual authority (Christ's). |
| Phil 2:3 | "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." | General principle of humility opposing self-exaltation. |
| Matt 20:26-27 | "Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave." | Servant leadership contrasted with seeking titles of honor. |
| 2 Cor 3:5 | "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God." | Ministers' reliance on God, not their own ability. |
| Jas 3:1 | "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." | Highlights the great responsibility and potential danger of teaching, reinforcing humility. |
Matthew 23 verses
Matthew 23 10 Meaning
This verse instructs disciples not to accept the title of "instructor" or "leader" in a way that suggests ultimate authority. It clarifies that there is only one supreme instructor for believers, namely Christ. The prohibition serves to dismantle any human system that might elevate individuals to a position of exclusive or foundational spiritual authority that properly belongs to Jesus Christ alone. It is a call to humility and a reorientation of spiritual honor towards the true divine head.
Matthew 23 10 Context
Matthew 23 is Jesus' most severe public condemnation of the religious leaders of His day—the scribes and Pharisees. Throughout this chapter, Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, love for prominence, and oppressive burdens on the people. Verses 8-12 specifically target their desire for honorific titles and places of distinction. Jesus here directly addresses His disciples, providing an ethical framework that sharply contrasts with the Pharisees' behavior. The historical context reveals a society where honor, status, and recognition through titles were highly valued, particularly in religious circles. Jesus challenges this cultural norm, asserting a revolutionary model of humility and redirecting honor to God and Christ alone. He is engaging in a polemic against a hierarchical system that obscured the true nature of God's authority and leadership.
Matthew 23 10 Word analysis
- Nor be called (μηδὲ κληθῆτε - mēde klēthēte): The Greek phrase is in the passive voice, indicating a prohibition against allowing oneself to be called or seeking to be known as this title. It highlights the act of accepting or coveting the designation.
- instructors (καθηγηταί - kathēgētai): This noun refers to a "leader," "guide," or "master teacher." It implies someone who leads the way or shows the path, holding a position of superior instruction and direction. The term emphasizes being a definitive source of truth and direction. It reflects a master-disciple relationship where the master's word is ultimate.
- for (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding command.
- you have (ὑμῶν ἐστιν - hymōn estin): Literally, "of you is." It denotes possession or belonging, indicating that the instructor belongs to them, or is among them.
- one (εἷς - heis): This numerical adjective emphasizes singularity and exclusivity. There is only one such ultimate guide, not multiple. It contrasts sharply with the plurality of human "instructors" the Pharisees sought to be.
- instructor (ὁ καθηγητής - ho kathēgētēs): Repetition of the noun, but here with the definite article, "the instructor." It specifically points to the singular, true, supreme teacher already alluded to.
- the Christ (ὁ Χριστός - ho Christos): This refers to Jesus as the Anointed One, the Messiah. It affirms His unique identity as the divinely appointed and ultimate revealer of truth and spiritual leader. He is the pre-eminent guide for all believers. The Messiah is the divine teacher, the Word made flesh.
Words-group analysis
- "Nor be called instructors": This phrase condemns the desire for spiritual titles that imply an unbiblical supremacy or honor for a human. It's a prohibition against receiving honorifics that properly belong to Christ. It critiques a system that creates a hierarchy based on human titles.
- "for you have one instructor": This provides the fundamental theological reason for the prohibition. It points to Christ's unique, singular, and indispensable role as the authoritative teacher. Human teachers are provisional, fallible, and derivative; Christ is absolute and perfect.
- "the Christ": Identifies this sole ultimate instructor. Jesus Christ holds this supreme teaching authority because He is God's Anointed One, the fullest revelation of divine truth and the perfect guide for humanity. His instruction is without error and final.
Matthew 23 10 Bonus section
This injunction applies primarily to the heart and intention behind using or desiring religious titles. The danger lies in titles that imply a unique, foundational, or final authority beyond Christ. While teaching roles (didaskalos in Greek) exist as gifts in the church (Eph 4:11), the prohibition here is against titles that command ultimate submission, reverence, or spiritual dependency, as was characteristic of the hierarchical abuse Christ condemned in the Pharisees. It emphasizes the direct access believers have to the one true Teacher. True spiritual authority in the church is therefore always derivative, humble, and points back to the Head, Jesus Christ. This principle combats spiritual pride and promotes Christ's ultimate headship in His body.
Matthew 23 10 Commentary
Matthew 23:10 encapsulates a core tenet of Christian humility and the absolute supremacy of Christ. It is not an absolute prohibition against all forms of human teaching or mentorship within the church. Rather, it specifically targets the ungodly aspiration for honorific titles that elevate a human teacher to a position of ultimate authority and veneration, eclipsing the unique role of Christ. The problem lies in assuming or granting a definitive authority over others' consciences or belief systems that rightfully belongs to Jesus. Human teachers (as recognized elsewhere, e.g., Eph 4:11) are merely instruments, conduits through whom Christ's truth is communicated and who equip others for service. Their authority is always derived from and subordinate to Christ. This verse demands that all teaching points to Christ and His teachings as the ultimate standard. It guards against spiritual abuse, pride, and the creation of cults of personality centered on human leaders, instead promoting Christ-centered discipleship.
- Practical Usage Example: In local church life, this verse encourages congregants to always test teachings against scripture, remembering Christ as their supreme Instructor, not blindly following any human leader. For leaders, it serves as a constant reminder to humbly serve and point people to Christ, rather than seeking personal glory or unchallenged authority. It challenges systems that formalize unnecessary and Christ-diminishing hierarchical titles.