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Matthew 23 · a question people ask

What does Jesus mean by "Call no man on the earth your father" (23:9)?

In the text

Matthew gives the words as one of three sayings, each with its reason. "But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers" (23:8). "Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven" (23:9). "Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ" (23:10). The next words are "But he who is greatest among you will be your servant" (23:11). Matthew doesn't explain the three sayings beyond these words, and these notes don't either. They apply 23:8-10 to no church's titles or offices today.

The verses

“But you are not to 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.”
Matthew 23:8-11 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Matthew 23

Matthew 23: Woe to you

Jesus tells the multitudes and his disciples to "observe and do" what the scribes and Pharisees tell them, "but don’t do their works" (23:3). Seven of his eight woes are to "scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!", and one is to "you blind guides" (23:16). And the verb of "I send to you prophets" (23:34) is the verb of "those who are sent to her" (23:37).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions