Matthew 23 7

Matthew 23:7 kjv

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

Matthew 23:7 nkjv

greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'

Matthew 23:7 niv

they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others.

Matthew 23:7 esv

and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

Matthew 23:7 nlt

They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi.'

Matthew 23 verses

Matthew 23 7 Meaning

This verse exposes the scribes and Pharisees' pervasive desire for public adulation and prominent titles. Jesus criticizes their love for receiving respectful greetings in public places and their eagerness to be addressed with the honorific title "Rabbi," which signified a revered teacher or master. This reveals their self-exalting motive and outward showmanship rather than genuine devotion and humility before God.

Matthew 23 7 Context

Matthew chapter 23 serves as Jesus' most scathing public denunciation of the Jewish religious leadership: the scribes and Pharisees. After earlier confrontations and parables against their hypocrisy (e.g., Matt 21:23-22:46), Jesus issues a series of "woes" directly targeting their behavior. Before detailing the woes, verses 1-12 describe their foundational flaws: teaching without practicing, burdening others, and most relevant to verse 7, performing deeds for outward show and desiring public acclaim and honorary titles. Verse 7 fits directly into this introductory indictment, highlighting their love of being publicly acknowledged and esteemed by men, particularly through prestigious salutations and the title "Rabbi." This sharply contrasts with Jesus' repeated emphasis on humility, inward righteousness, and serving others (e.g., Matt 5:3, 5:8, 20:26-28). Historically and culturally, the "marketplaces" (agora) were central public spaces in ancient towns, ideal for receiving public greetings. The title "Rabbi" (rhabbi) was a highly respected honorific given to esteemed teachers of the Mosaic Law, denoting wisdom, authority, and piety. This public honor was eagerly sought and highlighted the wearer's elevated status within society. Jesus' words here are a polemic against a system where spiritual authority was linked to outward display and human recognition, rather than divine approval and humble service.

Matthew 23 7 Word analysis

• and (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting this point to the preceding description of their love for "the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts" (Matt 23:6). It emphasizes that seeking greetings and titles is another manifestation of their same core pride and desire for self-exaltation.
• greetings (ἀσπασμοῖς - aspasmois): This Greek term refers to salutations, polite welcomes, or respectful acknowledgments. In a public setting like the marketplace, these greetings would often be formal, elaborate, and demonstrative of respect, especially for esteemed figures. The Pharisees loved (from previous verse's "love the best seats..." continuing implicitly here) to receive these public tributes, confirming their perceived status and authority.
• in the marketplaces (ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς - en tais agorais): The agora was the central public square in ancient Jewish towns. It was a bustling hub for commercial activity, legal proceedings, public announcements, and social interaction. For the Pharisees to receive greetings here signified maximal public visibility and recognition, feeding their desire for outward approval. This stands in contrast to Jesus' teaching of private prayer and acts of righteousness.
• and to be called (καλεῖσθαι - kaleisthai): The infinitive indicates a passive desire, highlighting that they specifically craved to be named or addressed as. It is not merely an incidental address, but a preferred form of recognition they actively sought. This verb choice emphasizes their eager receptiveness and promotion of such honorifics.
• by men (ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων - hypo tōn anthrōpōn): This phrase directly contrasts with receiving glory from God. The scribes and Pharisees performed their deeds and desired recognition from men. Jesus consistently points out the futility of seeking human praise over divine approval, as the former is fleeting and the latter is eternal and true.
• ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ (ῥαββί ῥαββί - rhabbi rhabbi):
  • Rabbi: This is a transliteration of the Aramaic/Hebrew word רַבִּי (rabbi), meaning "my master" or "my great one," which was an honorific title for revered teachers of the Mosaic Law, sages, and spiritual leaders. It conveyed immense respect and recognized superior wisdom and authority.
  • Repetition ('Rabbi, Rabbi'): The double repetition indicates a strong emphasis or perhaps an eager anticipation for this title, or the way others would redundantly and enthusiastically bestow it upon them. It underlines the intensity of their desire for this specific designation, signifying profound admiration and allegiance from their followers. The title represented a mark of their elite spiritual status.
• Phrasal Analysis: "greetings in the marketplaces": This phrase paints a vivid picture of public vanity. It encapsulates their performance-driven religiosity, where outward displays of honor were prioritized. It reveals their focus on external appearances and reputation among people rather than inner character before God. This was a place where their social and spiritual status could be conspicuously affirmed.
• Phrasal Analysis: "to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi'": This combination zeroes in on their covetousness of titles. It highlights that their actions were ultimately for self-glorification. They weren't seeking to serve God or lead with humility, but to amass personal prestige and exert human authority, undermining the very concept of spiritual authority flowing from God alone.

Matthew 23 7 Bonus section

The seeking of honorific titles like "Rabbi" by the Pharisees in Jesus' time ran counter to the true nature of God's kingdom, which operates on principles of humility and servant leadership. Jesus' teaching here laid a foundational principle that genuine authority in the Kingdom of God does not derive from human appointment or self-promotion, but from God's Spirit working through humble service. The term "Rabbi" itself, meaning "my great one," points to an undue elevation of a human teacher, whereas Jesus would later clarify that there is only one true Teacher and Master (Matt 23:8). This also reflects the broader prophetic tradition where God condemns those whose hearts are far from Him even as their lips honor Him (Isa 29:13). The desire for outward honor can be a strong indicator of hypocrisy, masking a spiritual emptiness and a seeking of self-glory rather than God's glory.

Matthew 23 7 Commentary

Matthew 23:7 vividly portrays the self-aggrandizing spirit of the scribes and Pharisees, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent woes. Their fervent desire for public acclaim, seen in their yearning for elaborate greetings in bustling marketplaces and the reverent title "Rabbi," underscored a spiritual illness: a preoccupation with outward appearance and human validation over genuine piety and divine approval. Jesus' critique is not against respectful greetings or teaching per se, but against the love and active pursuit of these for selfish reasons. Their eagerness for such recognition revealed a prideful heart that sought status among men, contrary to God's standard of humility. This verse, therefore, condemns a form of leadership and religiosity centered on self-exaltation rather than service and devotion to God. It calls believers to avoid the pursuit of empty human honors and instead cultivate humility and a desire for God's approval above all else, recognizing Him as the ultimate Teacher and Father.

• Example: A modern leader seeking numerous honorary degrees or prestigious positions not for service, but primarily for the public recognition and social status they confer.
• Example: A believer participating in ministry publicly primarily to be seen and praised by peers or congregants, rather than from a heart of selfless service to God.