Matthew 23:8
“But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.”
What does Matthew 23:8 mean?
Jesus is pushing back against a common practice in his time, where religious teachers were given fancy titles that set them apart and above others. He's telling his followers that calling someone "Rabbi" (meaning "my master") creates a false hierarchy, suggesting that one person has ultimate authority while others are beneath them. The heart of what he's saying is that all believers stand on equal ground before God. Yes, we can learn from each other and some will teach, but no human deserves to be treated as if they have absolute spiritual authority over others. We're all siblings in the same family, accountable to the same teacher: Jesus himself. This speaks directly to people struggling with spiritual communities that feel controlled or where leaders demand excessive deference. Real faith thrives in spaces where people are honest about their limitations, where authority is held lightly, and where everyone is invited to follow Jesus together rather than follow a person.