Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 23].
upon to take part in the services at church. They feel that their
ministerial dignity has not been recognized.
23:8 {But be not ye called Rabbi} (\humeis de m• kl•th•te
Rabbei\). An apparent aside to the disciples. Note the emphatic
position of \humeis\. Some even regard verses 8-10 as a later
addition and not part of this address to the Pharisees, but the
apostles were present. Euthymius Zigabenus says: "Do not seek to
be called (ingressive aorist subjunctive), if others call you
this it will not be your fault." This is not far from the
Master's meaning. Rabbi means "my great one," "my Master,"
apparently a comparatively new title in Christ's time.
23:9 {Call no man your father} (\patera m• kales•te h–m•n\).
Jesus meant the full sense of this noble word for our heavenly
Father. "Abba was not commonly a mode of address to a living
person, but a title of honour for Rabbis and great men of the
past" (McNeile). In Gethsemane Jesus said: "Abba, Father" (Mr
14:36). Certainly the ascription of "Father" to pope and priest
seems out of harmony with what Jesus here says. He should not be
understood to be condemning the title to one's real earthly
father. Jesus often leaves the exceptions to be supplied.
23:10 {Masters} (\kath•g•tai\). This word occurs here only in the
N.T. It is found in the papyri for teacher (Latin, _doctor_). It
is the modern Greek word for professor. "While \didaskalos\
represents \Rab\, \kath•g•tes\ stands for the more honourable
\Rabban, -b•n\" (McNeile). Dalman (_Words of Jesus_, p. 340)
suggests that the same Aramaic word may be translated by either
\didaskalos\ or \kath•g•tes\. {The Christ} (\ho Christos\). The
use of these words here by Jesus like "Jesus Christ" in his
Prayer (Joh 17:3) is held by some to show that they were added
by the evangelist to what Jesus actually said, since the Master
would not have so described himself. But he commended Peter for
calling him "the Christ the Son of the living God" (Mt
16:16f.). We must not empty the consciousness of Jesus too much.
23:12 {Exalt himself} (\hups•sei heauton\). Somewhat like 18:4;
20:26. Given by Luke in other contexts (14:11; 18:14).
Characteristic of Christ.
23:13 {Hypocrites} (\hupokritai\). This terrible word of Jesus
appears first from him in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 6:2,5,16;
7:5), then in 15:7 and 22:18. Here it appears "with terrific
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