rabbi Summary and Overview

my master, a title of dignity given by the Jews to their doctors of the law and their distinguished teachers. It is sometimes applied to Christ (Matt. 23:7, 8; Mark 9:5 (R.V.); John 1:38, 49; 3:2; 6:25, etc.); also to John (3:26).

a title of respect signifying master, teacher, given by the Jews to their doctors and teachers, and often addressed to our Lord. #Mt 23:7,8; 26:25,49; Mr 9:6; 11:21; 14:45; Joh 1:38,49; 3:2,26; 4:31; 6:25; 9:2; 11:8| Another form of the title was Rabboni. #Joh 20:16| The titles were used with different degrees of honor; the lowest being rab, master then rabbi, my master; next rabban, our master; and greatest of all, Rabboni, my great master.

RAB'BI , a title of dignity, literally signifying "my master." It was given by the Jews to distinguish teachers of their Law, and frequently applied to our Lord by the disciples and the people. Matt 23:7-8, Gen 26:25, Matt 26:49; Mark 9:5; Jer 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38, Lev 14:49; 2 Sam 3:2, Gal 3:26, etc. The usual Greek word in the Gospels as the title of Christ is "teacher." Matt 8:19; Eze 9:11, etc. The Jews distinguished between Rab, "master," Rabbi, "my master," and Rabboni, "my great master." The last was the most honorable title of all.

("great.") Simeon (identified by some with him who took the infant Jesus in his arms: Luke 2:25 ff) son of Hillel, shortly before Christ, was the first doctor of the law with the title Rabban (higher than Rabbi), Rabbi (higher than Rab). The disciples applied it to Christ (Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38; John 1:50; John 3:2; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 11:8; John 13:13). Christ's prohibition of the title to the disciples (Matthew 23:7-8) is against using it in the spirit of exercising dominion over the faith of others. The triune God is the only "Father," "Master" (katheegeetes, guide, Romans 2:19; contrast John 16:13), "Teacher" (didaskalos Vaticanus manuscript Matthew 23:8) in the highest sense; on Him alone can implicit trust be placed. All are "brethren " before Him, none by office or precedence nearer to God than another. Rabboni (John 20:16) is simply "Master," the -i final in John's translated not meaning "my", as it often does.