Matthew 23:10

KJV

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither {G3366} be ye called {G2564} masters {G2519}: for {G1063} one {G1520} is {G2076} your {G5216} Master {G2519}, even Christ {G5547}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nor are you to let yourselves be called `leaders,' because you have one Leader, and he is the Messiah!

Berean Standard Bible

Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ.

American Standard Version

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 23:10 encapsulates Jesus' profound teaching on spiritual authority, asserting that ultimate mastery and guidance belong exclusively to Christ. This verse, part of a broader discourse condemning the hypocrisy and self-exaltation of religious leaders, prohibits His followers from seeking or accepting honorific titles like "master," thereby promoting humility, equality, and singular devotion to Christ as the supreme teacher and guide for all believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 23:10 is embedded within Jesus' final and most severe public denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, delivered in the temple courts shortly before His crucifixion. The entire chapter serves as a powerful indictment of religious hypocrisy, focusing on their love for public recognition, honorific titles, and burdensome legalism, all while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus explicitly warns His disciples against being called "Rabbi" in [Matthew 23:8](/matthew/23-8 "Matthew 23:8 - Do Not Be Called Rabbi") and "father" in [Matthew 23:9](/matthew/23-9 "Matthew 23:9 - Do Not Call Anyone Father on Earth"), creating a deliberate rhetorical progression that culminates in the prohibition against being called "master." This sequence underscores Jesus' radical redefinition of spiritual leadership, moving away from hierarchical, honor-based systems towards a community founded on humility and service under the sole authority of Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, titles like "Rabbi" (teacher), "Abba" (father, signifying spiritual paternity), and "Master" (guide/instructor) were honorifics bestowed upon respected religious authorities and teachers. These titles conveyed significant social status, intellectual prestige, and spiritual authority, often implying a relationship of absolute submission from disciples to their teachers. The scribes and Pharisees, as the religious elite, actively sought and cherished these titles, using them to distinguish themselves and solidify their positions of power and influence within Jewish society. Jesus' prohibition directly challenges this cultural norm, striking at the heart of their system of honor and status, and advocating for a counter-cultural community where such human-conferred distinctions are rendered meaningless in light of Christ's singular authority.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' teachings. Primarily, it reinforces the **sole authority and supremacy of Christ** as the ultimate teacher, guide, and Lord over His disciples, a theme echoed in the Great Commission in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"). Secondly, it champions **humility and equality** among believers, dismantling any notion of spiritual hierarchy that elevates one human over another, as all are "brethren" under one Master. This aligns with Jesus' teaching on servant leadership found in [Matthew 20:25-28](/matthew/20-25-28 "Matthew 20:25-28 - Servant Leadership"). Lastly, it serves as a **warning against human pride and the pursuit of worldly honor** within the spiritual realm, emphasizing that true spiritual influence flows from humble service and submission to God, not from titles or public acclaim, a concept Jesus frequently addressed, such as in [Matthew 6:1-6](/matthew/6-1-6 "Matthew 6:1-6 - True Righteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **masters (Greek, _kathēgētḗs'_):** From a compound of `κατά` (kata, down) and `ἡγέομαι` (hēgeomai, to lead), this word literally means "a guide" or "instructor." It denotes someone who leads the way, directs, or teaches. In the context of Matthew 23:10, Jesus uses it to refer to a spiritual authority or teacher who commands ultimate allegiance and provides definitive instruction. By forbidding His disciples from being called "masters," Jesus asserts that He alone fulfills this role as the singular, authoritative guide for their faith and life, thereby challenging the human tendency to elevate certain individuals to a position of unquestionable spiritual authority.
* **called (Greek, _kaléō'_):** This verb means "to call" (properly, aloud), but is used in a variety of applications, including naming, inviting, or designating. In this verse, "be ye called" (passive voice) implies both the act of others bestowing a title upon someone and the acceptance of that title by the individual. Jesus' prohibition is thus twofold: it discourages His followers from seeking such titles and from allowing others to confer them in a way that usurps Christ's unique position. It speaks to the recognition and honor associated with the title rather than merely a descriptive label.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** Derived from `χρίω` (chriō, to anoint), this term means "anointed" and is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah." It is an epithet of Jesus, signifying His divine appointment as the promised deliverer, king, and ultimate prophet. In Matthew 23:10, identifying "Christ" as the "one Master" is a direct theological claim to His unique authority and messianic identity. It underscores that His anointing by God establishes Him as the sole and supreme spiritual guide, to whom all believers owe their ultimate allegiance and from whom all true teaching flows.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither be ye called masters:"** This clause serves as a direct, emphatic prohibition. The Greek `μηδέ` (mēdé, neither/nor) reinforces the preceding prohibitions against being called "Rabbi" and "father." Jesus is not merely suggesting a preference but issuing a command against His followers seeking or accepting the honorific title of "master" (`καθηγητής`). This injunction challenges the prevailing cultural norms where such titles conferred status and authority, redirecting the disciples away from human-centric hierarchies and towards a community where such distinctions are nullified by Christ's headship.
* **"for one is your Master, [even] Christ."** This second clause provides the theological rationale for the prohibition. The particle `γάρ` (gár, for) introduces the reason: there is only "one" (`εἷς`, heîs) who legitimately holds the title and position of "Master" (`καθηγητής`) for believers, and that one is Christ (`Χριστός`). This statement unequivocally declares Christ's singular and supreme authority as the ultimate teacher, guide, and Lord. It establishes Him as the exclusive source of spiritual truth and direction, rendering any human claim to such ultimate mastery as illegitimate and an affront to His unique status. The phrase "[even] Christ" clarifies and emphasizes the identity of the singular Master.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 23:10 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, where Jesus sets up a stark contrast between human aspiration for the title "master" and the singular, divine reality that Christ alone holds this position. This creates a clear opposition between worldly recognition and heavenly authority. The verse also utilizes **Didacticism**, as it is a direct instruction from Jesus to His disciples, teaching them a fundamental principle about spiritual leadership and the nature of their community. Furthermore, the term "Master" functions as a **Metaphor** for ultimate spiritual authority and guidance, extending beyond a mere pedagogical role to encompass the entirety of Christ's Lordship over His followers. The cumulative effect of these devices is to underscore the radical nature of Jesus' teachings regarding humility and His own unparalleled sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:10 is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of spiritual authority within the Christian faith. It unequivocally asserts Christ's exclusive claim to ultimate mastery, teaching, and guidance, thereby challenging any human attempt to usurp or imitate this unique position. Theologically, it reinforces the concept of Christ's headship over the church and the equality of all believers under His singular authority. It calls for a radical humility among those in leadership, transforming the model from one of hierarchical dominion to one of humble service, where leaders are facilitators and equippers, not ultimate sources of truth or objects of undue reverence. The verse compels believers to direct their ultimate allegiance and intellectual submission solely to Christ, ensuring that all human teaching and leadership remain subordinate to His divine word and example.

* [John 13:13-15](/john/13-13-15 "John 13:13-15 - Jesus, the Servant-Leader")
* [1 Peter 5:1-4](/1_peter/5-1-4 "1 Peter 5:1-4 - Shepherds of God's Flock")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Equipping the Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:10 serves as a timeless reminder for every believer and every Christian community: our ultimate allegiance and source of truth must always be Christ alone. In a world that often values titles, status, and human charisma, Jesus' words call us to a profound counter-cultural humility. For individuals, this means diligently testing all teaching against the revealed truth of Scripture, recognizing that no human teacher, no matter how gifted or esteemed, possesses infallible authority. Our faith should be anchored in Christ, not in personalities or institutions. For the church, this verse challenges us to cultivate environments where servant leadership is genuinely practiced, where leaders see themselves as humble stewards rather than elevated figures, and where every member is valued as an equal "brother" or "sister" under the one Master. It prompts us to guard against spiritual pride, the idolization of leaders, and the creation of hierarchies that diminish the direct relationship between Christ and His followers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, inadvertently elevate human teachers or leaders to a status that belongs only to Christ?**
* **How does recognizing Christ as my "one Master" impact my approach to learning, discerning truth, and submitting to authority?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster humility and equality within my spiritual relationships, reflecting Christ's teaching in this verse?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 23:10 mean Christians cannot have teachers or leaders, or that we shouldn't use titles like "Pastor" or "Reverend"?**

Answer: Matthew 23:10, along with the preceding verses in [Matthew 23:8-9](/matthew/23-8-9 "Matthew 23:8-9 - Do Not Be Called Rabbi or Father"), is not a blanket prohibition against all forms of teaching, leadership, or descriptive titles within the church. The context reveals Jesus' condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees' *hypocrisy*, their *love of honorific titles*, and their *desire to be elevated* above others, thereby usurping the unique authority that belongs to God and Christ alone. The Greek term `kathēgētḗs` (master/guide) here refers to someone who claims ultimate, unquestionable authority as the definitive source of truth, a role Jesus reserves for Himself. The New Testament clearly acknowledges and affirms the existence of various leadership roles and spiritual gifts, including teachers, pastors, and elders (e.g., [Ephesians 4:11](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11 - Gifts for the Church"); [1 Timothy 3:1-7](/1_timothy/3-1-7 "1 Timothy 3:1-7 - Qualifications for Overseers"); [Titus 1:5-9](/titus/1-5-9 "Titus 1:5-9 - Qualifications for Elders")). Therefore, the spirit of Jesus' command is against seeking or accepting titles that foster pride, create undue spiritual hierarchy, or imply an ultimate authority over others that rivals Christ's. It's a call to humility, servant leadership, and the recognition that Christ is the ultimate Master, while human leaders are merely His servants and instruments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:10 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' unique identity as the ultimate and singular Master, Teacher, and Lord. He is not merely *a* master among many, but the *one* Master, the very embodiment of divine wisdom and truth, as proclaimed in [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom"). Unlike the hypocritical religious leaders who sought honor for themselves, Christ perfectly exemplified servant leadership, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross, as detailed in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility"). His authority is not derived from human acclaim but from His divine nature and His resurrection, by which all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). As the "Master," Christ is the definitive interpreter of God's will, the source of eternal life ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")), and the head of His body, the church ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as the Head of the Church")). Therefore, the prohibition against human "masters" in Matthew 23:10 serves to elevate Christ to His rightful place as the sole object of ultimate spiritual allegiance and the perfect, living standard for all genuine teaching and leadership within His kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.