Devine Scripture

Matthew 23:9

What does Matthew 23:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 23:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 23:9 means

Jesus extends His instruction against seeking honorific titles, forbidding His disciples from calling any earthly man "father" in a spiritual sense. This is not a prohibition against acknowledging biological fathers, but against granting spiritual headship or ultimate authority to a human being, as only God in heaven rightly holds that position. This command reinforces the idea that ultimate spiritual parentage and authority belong solely to the heavenly Father, promoting dependence on Him alone.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And give no man the name of father on earth: because one is your Father, who is in heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye may not call <FI>any<Fi> your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And call not [any one] your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, he who is in the heavens.

Context

Building on the instruction to avoid the title "Rabbi," Jesus further applies the principle of rejecting human spiritual hierarchy. This verse warns against calling any man "father" in a spiritual sense, emphasizing God's sole paternal relationship to believers. This continues the pattern of humility and singular devotion established in the previous verse, preparing for a similar prohibition regarding the title "master" in the next. These verses collectively aim to redefine leadership among Christ's followers.

v.8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren.

v.9This passage

v.10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Kings 13:14

    Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died: and Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over him, and said, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof!

  • Matthew 6:32

    For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

  • Malachi 1:6

    A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Romans 8:14

    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

  • 1 John 3:1

    Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

  • Job 32:21

    Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.

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