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Matthew 23:6-8

and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Matthew 23:6-8 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

    the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.

    But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    and love to sit vppermooste at feastes and to have the chefe seates in the synagoges

    and gretinges in the marketes and to be called of men Rabi.

    But ye shall not suffre youre selves to be called Rabi. For one is youre master that is to wyt Christ and all ye are brethren.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And loue the chiefe place at feastes, and to haue the chiefe seates in the assemblies,

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

    But be not ye called, Rabbi: for one is your doctour, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren.

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Cross-references (36)

  • James 3:1 (v8) Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 (v8) Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ…
  • 1 Peter 5:3 (v8) not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
  • 3 John 1:9 (v6) I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
  • Matthew 17:5 (v8) While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved…
Show all 36 cross-references
  • Matthew 23:10 (v8) Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
  • Mark 12:38-39 (v6) In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces, and the…
  • Luke 11:43-54 (v6) Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and…
  • Luke 22:32 (v8) but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”
  • John 1:38 (v7) Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being…
  • Proverbs 25:6-7 (v6) Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up…
  • Luke 14:7-11 (v6) He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, “When you are invited by…
  • John 1:49 (v7) Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
  • John 13:13-14 (v8) You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also…
  • Romans 14:9-10 (v8) For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your…
  • Colossians 1:1-2 (v8) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at…
  • James 2:1-4 (v6) My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality. For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes…
  • Revelation 1:9 (v8) I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called…
  • Matthew 10:25 (v8) It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house…
  • Luke 20:46-47 (v6) “Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the…
  • John 3:2 (v7) The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that…
  • John 3:26 (v7) They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and…
  • John 6:25 (v7) When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
  • John 20:16 (v7) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
  • 1 Corinthians 3:3-5 (v8) for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the…
  • 2 Corinthians 1:24 (v8) We don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:5 (v8) For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
  • Ephesians 3:15 (v8) from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
  • Revelation 19:10 (v8) I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers…
  • Revelation 22:9 (v8) He said to me, “See you don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the…
  • Matthew 20:21 (v6) He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your…
  • Matthew 23:8 (v7) But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
  • Matthew 26:49 (v8) Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
  • Mark 9:5 (v7) Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
  • Mark 10:51 (v7) Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”
  • Romans 12:10 (v6) In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (20 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv6–8 When assemblies and Councils are gathered together.

When assemblies and Councils are gathered together.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv6, 8 We have the same applied to the scribes, Mar…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v8 The word rabbi signifies a doctor or teacher, eminent,…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv6–8 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts,.... Or the…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v8 The Jewish rabbis were also called father and master,…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv7–8 Verse 7. To be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v8 Mat 23:8-10. Be not ye called rabbi — Do…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv6–8 The uppermost rooms at feasts - The word “rooms,”…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv7–8 Rabbi. A title like that of master or doctor.…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv6–8 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts--The word "room"…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. And love the uppermost — Our Lord here…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. the uppermost rooms] i. e. “the most honourable…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–8 (6) The uppermost rooms.—Better, the first places, the word…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv6–8 The uppermost rooms; than : primos recubitus; chief place.…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v8 But be not ye called Rabbi.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. Love the uppermost rooms at feasts. Rather, “seats.”…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v8 Humility required:
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 8 Connecting Statement:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6–8 23:6 The seats of honor in the synagogues were…
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