John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:9
And call no man your father upon the earth ,.... Not but that children may, and should call their natural parents, fathers; and such who have been instrumental in the conversion of souls, may be rightly called by them their spiritual fathers; as servants and scholars also, may call those that are over them, and instruct them, their masters: our Lord does not mean, by any of these expressions, to set aside all names and titles, of natural and civil distinction among men, but only to reject... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:8
But be not ye called Rabbi ,.... Do not be ambitious of any such title, fond of it, or affect it, or be elated with it, should it be given you; nor look upon yourselves as men of power and authority over others; as having the dominion over men's faith, a power to make laws for others, impose them in a magisterial way, and bind and loose men's consciences at pleasure, as these men do: for one is your master, even Christ ; meaning himself, the true Messiah, the head of the church, King of... read more