Matthew 23:9

Matthew 23:9, in plain English

Jesus says not to call any person your spiritual 'Father' in the ultimate sense, because you only have one true Father and He is in heaven. No human leader should take God's place in your life.

Why it's here

Jesus is protecting you from giving any person the devotion that belongs only to God. Human leaders are important, but they should never replace your heavenly Father.

Who's speaking

Jesus gives another instruction about how His followers should relate to authority and titles.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus keeps pointing you upward. Don't give any human being the reverence and ultimate loyalty that belongs to God alone.

The scholarly reading

Jesus extends the prohibition to the title 'Father' (patera) in the sense of spiritual authority figure. The reason is theological: believers have 'one Father' (heis pater) who is 'in heaven' (ho ouranios). No human should usurp the paternal authority that belongs to God alone.

Language and setting

This prohibition targets the practice of venerating rabbinic authorities as 'fathers' of traditions (Avot in the Mishnah). Jesus redirects ultimate loyalty from human teachers to God.

Voice

Jesus continues restructuring the authority dynamics within His community, pointing all honor upward to the heavenly Father.

Significance

Jesus continues dismantling the human authority structures that replace God. No human leader should occupy the place that belongs to your heavenly Father.

7the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

8But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.

9And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

10Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ.

11The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Read all of Matthew 23 — Seven devastating woes crash down on the religious establishment. Jesus doesn't whisper his critique — he thunders it.