Answer
Religious hypocrites will do almost anything for attention. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, they love to be seated in high positions where they will be seen and honored above everyone else. In His final discourse, Jesus dealt with the vain hypocrisy of Israel’s religious leaders and warned His followers not to be like them: “But as for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven. And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, the Messiah” (Matthew 23:8–10, HCSB).
These instructions came on the heels of Christ’s scathing description of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1–12), condemning their fixation with status, positions of importance, and titles of honor such as Father, Rabbi, Teacher, and Master (verses 5–7). Many of these Jewish leaders flaunted their high appointments. In essence, they made idols of themselves and insisted that others bow down and worship them.
Jesus commanded His disciples to be different. Instead of striving for personal glory and public recognition, followers of Jesus are to humble themselves before God and people (Luke 14:9–11; Colossians 3:12; James 4:10; 1 Peter 3:8; 5:6). Jesus taught that the greatest in His kingdom are meek and modest servants (Matthew 20:26; 23:11; Luke 9:48; 22:26–27). Genuine kingdom seekers don’t demand recognition but instead desire God alone to be glorified (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11).
Jesus said, “Do not call anyone father,” not as a blanket injunction against the use of such titles but as an exhortation to humility. The Bible tells us to “honor your father and your mother,” so it’s certainly not wrong to call one’s earthly father by that name (see Exodus 20:12; Hebrews 12:9). Likewise, the respectful and affectionate title “father” was often used in Bible times for elders and teachers (see 2 Kings 6:21; 13:14; Acts 7:2; 22:1).
The apostle Paul saw himself as a spiritual father figure to those he had led to Christ and nurtured in the faith (1 Corinthians 4:14–15; Philippians 2:22; 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4), but he never insisted that anyone call him by the title “father.” Instead, Paul acknowledged his lowly place as “less than the least of all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 3:7–8; see also 1 Corinthians 15:9–10; 1 Timothy 1:12–16).
Jesus also wasn’t teaching that there should never be positions of authority in the body of Christ. Rather, He emphasized that all leadership roles in the church should be seen as opportunities to serve the Lord and others. It is inappropriate and unbiblical to put human spiritual leaders onto pedestals. Scripture shows that all Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ (Matthew 23:8; Philemon 16; 1 Timothy 6:2). Ultimately, God in heaven is the only One who has the right to be called our Father (Matthew 6:9), and only He is holy and worthy of exaltation (1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 6:3; 43:15; Revelation 4:8; 15:4). Only Jesus is our Master (Luke 17:13; Colossians 4:1), and the Holy Spirit our Teacher (John 14:26).
Believers are told, “Do not call anyone father,” because anyone who assumes the title in arrogance and self-promotion will have to contend with God the Father. True spiritual leaders are unpretentious enough to recognize that any wisdom or knowledge they possess is a gracious gift from God. Although the Pharisees exalted themselves, they would one day be humbled (Isaiah 2:11–12; 5:15; Ezekiel 21:26), and disciples of Jesus Christ, who humble themselves in service, will be exalted in God’s time (Matthew 23:12).
