Matthew 23:7

The markets. See on Matt. 11:16; Mark 7:4.

Rabbi. Literally, “my great one,” “my teacher,” or “my lord.” Later the personal pronoun lost its force. This honorific title for scholars of the law had probably not long been in use. The term rab for teacher is found as early as 110 B.C. in the mouth of Joshua b. Perahah (Mishnah Aboth 1.6; cf. Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 5). The title “rabbi” distinguished a man as being learned in the law of Moses, and therefore implied that his interpretation of the religious duties prescribed therein was binding, or infallible. This tended to set up human authority in place of the express word of God. Jesus counseled His followers not to look to men, but to God and to His will as set forth in the Scriptures. This admonition has no bearing upon the use of such titles as “doctor” or “professor” in educational institutions today, though it would apply to such honorific titles as “reverend,” “his holiness,” etc., which imply the same as the title “rabbi” did in the days of Christ.