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Matthew 23:9 And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 23:9 And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/40_Mat_23_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:9 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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for One is your Father, who <i>is</i> in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And call no <i>man</i> your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And do not call <i>anyone</i> on earth your father; for <i>only</i> One is your Father, He who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And do not call <i>anyone</i> on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And do not call <i>anyone</i> on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not call <i>anyone</i> on earth [who guides you spiritually] your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />And don't call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And you must not call anyone here on earth 'Father,' because you have only the one Father in heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />And don't call anyone on earth 'Father,' because you have only one Father, the one in heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And call no one your 'father' on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your Father--the Heavenly Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and you may not call [any] your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And call no <i>one</i> your father on the earth; for One is your Father, who <i>is</i> in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and ye may not call any your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And call not your father upon earth: for one is your Father, which in the heavens.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And do not choose to call anyone on earth your father. For One is your Father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And call no one on earth, father, for one is your Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And you should not call yourselves “Father”, in the earth, for one is your Father who is in Heaven.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And call no man on earth your father; for one is your Father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And call no man father upon the earth: for One is your Heavenly Father.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And call no man your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />don't stile any one among you, Father upon earth; for he alone is your father, who is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your Father--the Heavenly Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And call no one your father on the earth; for One is your Father, the Heavenly.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Neither call <Fr><i>any man</i><FR> upon earth Father; for one is your Father, <Fr><i>who is</i><FR> in heaven:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/23-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6752" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/2564.htm" title="2564: kalesēte (V-ASA-2P) -- (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to call.">do not call anyone</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēs (N-GFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patera (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father,</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">for</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">have</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patēr (N-NMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who is</a> <a href="/greek/3770.htm" title="3770: ouranios (Adj-NMS) -- In heaven, belonging to heaven, heavenly, from heaven. From ouranos; celestial, i.e. Belonging to or coming from the sky.">in heaven.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9</a></span><br />So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a></span><br />For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a></span><br />And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-6.htm">1 Corinthians 8:6</a></span><br />yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-6.htm">Ephesians 4:6</a></span><br />one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-17.htm">John 20:17</a></span><br />“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">1 John 3:1</a></span><br />Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9</a></span><br />Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a></span><br />Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">1 Peter 1:17</a></span><br />Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Isaiah 63:16</a></span><br />Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a></span><br />But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-10.htm">Malachi 2:10</a></span><br />Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-6.htm">Deuteronomy 32:6</a></span><br />Is this how you repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless people? Is He not your Father and Creator? Has He not made you and established you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a></span><br />A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.</p><p class="hdg">call.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">2 Kings 2:12</a></b></br> And Elisha saw <i>it</i>, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-21.htm">2 Kings 6:21</a></b></br> And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite <i>them</i>? shall I smite <i>them</i>?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/13-14.htm">2 Kings 13:14</a></b></br> Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.</p><p class="hdg">for.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8,9,32</a></b></br> Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6</a></b></br> A son honoureth <i>his</i> father, and a servant his master: if then I <i>be</i> a father, where <i>is</i> mine honour? and if I <i>be</i> a master, where <i>is</i> my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-14.htm">Romans 8:14-17</a></b></br> For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/23-8.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/matthew/18-19.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/22-30.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/matthew/21-25.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/matthew/22-2.htm">Heavens</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-10.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Heavens</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And do not call anyone on earth your father</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the spiritual authority and reverence that should be reserved for God alone. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, religious leaders often sought titles that elevated their status, such as "father" or "rabbi." This directive challenges the practice of attributing spiritual authority to human leaders, reminding believers that ultimate authority comes from God. The term "father" here is not a prohibition against using the term in familial or respectful contexts, but rather a caution against attributing spiritual authority and reverence that belongs to God. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of humility and the recognition of God's sovereignty, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Isaiah 42:8</a>, where God declares His glory will not be given to another.<p><b>for you have one Father</b><br>This phrase underscores the unique and singular role of God as the spiritual Father of all believers. It reflects the intimate relationship between God and His people, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as the Father of Israel (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-6.htm">Deuteronomy 32:6</a>, <a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Isaiah 63:16</a>), highlighting His role as creator, protector, and provider. In the New Testament, this relationship is deepened through the teachings of Jesus, who frequently refers to God as "Father," emphasizing a personal and relational aspect (<a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9</a>, <a href="/john/20-17.htm">John 20:17</a>). This phrase calls believers to recognize and honor God as the ultimate source of life and authority.<p><b>who is in heaven</b><br>This phrase locates the Father in heaven, distinguishing Him from earthly figures and emphasizing His divine nature and authority. Heaven is often depicted in Scripture as the dwelling place of God, a realm of holiness and perfection (<a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Psalm 11:4</a>, <a href="/revelation/4-2.htm">Revelation 4:2</a>). By identifying God as the Father "who is in heaven," the text reinforces His transcendence and sovereignty over all creation. This heavenly perspective invites believers to focus on eternal values and divine wisdom, as opposed to earthly status and human traditions. It also connects to the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches His disciples to address God as "Our Father in heaven" (<a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9</a>), reinforcing the idea of God's supreme authority and the believer's relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, delivering a message to His disciples and the crowds, warning against the practices of the Pharisees and scribes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>Religious leaders of the time who were often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who are being instructed on how to live and lead in contrast to the religious leaders.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a></b><br>The dwelling place of God, emphasized as the true source of authority and fatherhood.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where Jesus delivered this teaching, a central place for Jewish worship and religious authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_authority.htm">Understanding Spiritual Authority</a></b><br>Recognize that all spiritual authority ultimately comes from God, our heavenly Father. Earthly titles should not replace or overshadow this truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_idolatry_in_relationships.htm">Avoiding Idolatry in Relationships</a></b><br>Be cautious of elevating human leaders to a status that belongs only to God. Respect and honor leaders, but remember that they are not substitutes for God’s fatherhood.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/embracing_god's_fatherhood.htm">Embracing God’s Fatherhood</a></b><br>Cultivate a personal relationship with God as your Father. This relationship should be the foundation of your identity and spiritual life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_leadership.htm">Humility in Leadership</a></b><br>If you are in a position of leadership, guide others with humility, pointing them to God as the ultimate authority and source of wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_mentorship.htm">Spiritual Mentorship</a></b><br>While spiritual mentorship is valuable, it should always direct individuals to deepen their relationship with God, the true Father.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_'call_no_man_father'_reconciled.htm">(Matthew 23:9) How is “call no man father” reconciled with traditions that use fatherly titles for clergy? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jesus_say_not_to_call_anyone_'father'.htm">Why does Jesus tell people not to call anyone "father" (Matthew 23:9), yet the Bible refers to Abraham as "our father" (Romans 4:16)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jesus_forbid_calling_anyone_father.htm">Why did Jesus instruct not to call anyone father?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_a_mother_god_deity.htm">Is there a female deity called Mother God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Call no man your father.</span>--This also, under its Hebrew form of <span class= "ital">Abba,</span> was one of the titles in which the scribes delighted. In its true use it embodied the thought that the relation of scholars and teachers was filial on the one side, paternal on the other; but precisely because it expressed so noble an idea was its merely conventional use full of danger. The history of the ecclesiastical titles of Christendom offers in this respect a singular parallel to that of the titles of Judaism. In Abbot (derived from Abba=Father), in Papa and Pope (which have risen from their application to every priest, till they culminate in the <span class= "ital">Pontifex summus</span> of the Church of Home), in our "Father in God," as applied to Bishops, we find examples of the use of like language, liable to the same abuse. It would, of course, be a slavish literalism to see in our Lord's words an absolute prohibition of these and like words in ecclesiastical or civil life. What was meant was to warn men against so recognising, in any case, the fatherhood of men as to forget the Fatherhood of God. Even the teacher and apostle, who is a father to others, needs to remember that he is as a "little child" in the relation to God. (Comp. St. Paul's claim in <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm" title="For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.">1Corinthians 4:15</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Your father.</span> This was the title given to eminent teachers and founders of schools, to whom the people were taught to look up rather than to God. It was also addressed to prophets (<a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">2 Kings 2:12</a>; <a href="/2_kings/6-21.htm">2 Kings 6:21</a>). In ver. 8 Christ said, "be not called;" here he uses the active, "call not," as if he would intimate that his followers must not give this honoured title to any doctor out of complaisance, or flattery, or affectation. Upon the earth. In contradistinction to heaven, where our true Father dwells. They were to follow no earthly school. They had natural lathers and spiritual fathers, but the authority of all comes from God; it is delegated, not essential; and good teachers would make men look to God, and not to themselves, as the source of power and truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not call anyone</span><br /><span class="grk">καλέσητε</span> <span class="translit">(kalesēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2564.htm">Strong's 2564: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπὶ</span> <span class="translit">(epi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">earth</span><br /><span class="grk">γῆς</span> <span class="translit">(gēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> </span><span class="str2">Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">father,</span><br /><span class="grk">πατέρα</span> <span class="translit">(patera)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">γάρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[have]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="grk">εἷς</span> <span class="translit">(heis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Father,</span><br /><span class="grk">Πατὴρ</span> <span class="translit">(Patēr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who [is]</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in heaven.</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐράνιος</span> <span class="translit">(ouranios)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3770.htm">Strong's 3770: </a> </span><span class="str2">In heaven, belonging to heaven, heavenly, from heaven. From ouranos; celestial, i.e. Belonging to or coming from the sky.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/23-9.htm">Matthew 23:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/23-9.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:9 Call no man on the earth your (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>