Was Jesus a “rabbi“?

While it is true,
Jesus is and was the greatest teacher “rabbi” that has ever taught and
is our Master “Rabbi”,
was he a “rabbi” in the traditional sense?

Recently, I have heard preachers and teachers try to prove the idea that Jesus Christ was a “rabbi” in the Jewish traditional sense.

First lets look at the original Greek words taken from the “Textus Receptus” or Received
Text. The word Rabbi in the Greek text is found fifteen times. When the
word rabbi (rabbi) is found in the King James Bible, in the Greek Text it is also found in
lower case letters . When the word Rabbi -(~Rabbi,---) is found in the King James
Bible , in the Greek Text it is in upper case. This difference is very important, because
the lower case word for rabbi is used only twice, and by Judas. This could mean that it was
not a term of great respect. But the upper case word is translated Master and is always
applied to Christ with one exception, in John 3 :26 where John the Baptist was called Master
or Rabbi by those who followed him.

Keep this in mind as we move forward and look at a definition of the term rabbi/Rabbi.

A rabbi is not a priest, neither in the Jewish sense of the term nor in the Christian sense of
the term. In the Christian sense of the term, a priest is a person with special authority to
perform certain sacred rituals. A rabbi, on the other hand, has no more authority to perform
rituals than any other adult male member of the Jewish community. In the Jewish sense of
the term, a priest (kohein) is a descendant of Aaron, charged with performing various rites
in the Temple in connection with religious rituals and sacrifices. Although a kohein can be a
rabbi, a rabbi is not required to be a kohein.

A rabbi is simply a teacher, a person sufficiently educated in halakhah (Jewish

law) and tradition to instruct the community and to answer questions and resolve
disputes regarding halakhah. When a person has completed the necessary course of
study, he is given a written document known as a semikhah, which confirms his authority to
make such decisions.

When I speak generally of things that were said or decided by "the rabbis" or "the sages," I
am speaking of matters that have been generally agreed upon by authoritative Jewish
scholars over the centuries. When I speak of rabbinical literature, I speak of the writings of
the great rabbis on a wide variety of subjects.

Since the destruction of the Temple, the role of the kohanim has diminished, and rabbis
have taken over the spiritual leadership of the Jewish community. In this sense, the rabbi
has much the same role as a Protestant minister, ministering to the community, leading
community religious services and dealing with many of the administrative matters related to
the synagogue.

However, it is important to note that the rabbi's status as rabbi does not give him any
special authority to conduct religious services. Any Jew sufficiently educated to know what
he is doing can lead a religious service, and a service led by such a Jew is every bit as valid
as a service led by a rabbi. It is not unusual for a community to be without a rabbi, or for
Jewish services to be conducted without a rabbi, or for members of the community to lead
all or part of religious services even when a rabbi is available.

(Definition taken from Judaism 101)Here we see that a rabbi was and is trained in Jewish law. He could be from the
tribe of Levi or he could be any Jewish man. After the destruction of the temple, the duties of the Levites somewhat
diminished, and the Rabbi became the religious leader of the community officiating weddings and such.

As I stated earlier, Jesus was and is the greatest teacher “rabbi” that ever lived and is
absolutely our Master “Rabbi” ,

but was he a traditional rabbi. There ARE a few problems with this idea.

First, Jesus was never taught anything by man or in man‘s schools as rabbis of the day
were schooled. He was and is all knowing, both God and man, the Word in the Flesh. We
see this very early in his life. In Luke 2:46-49 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in
the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him
were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said
unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said
unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

At this young age Jesus amazed the doctors of the Law, the greatest minds of the day. As is
found in other passages, Jesus was considered the son of a Carpenter not a student of the
Law with no need of man‘s teachings.

Second, Jesus gave specific instructions to his disciples about how they were to address
men, especially those who were spiritual leaders and teachers. In Matt 23:1-111 Then spake Jesus
to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever
they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind
heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with
one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge
the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And
greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your
Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which
is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you
shall be your servant.

It is very important to see the problem that Jesus is addressing. The term that Jesus is
using is Rabbi, this is found in the original Greek text (Textus Receptus) with the first letter
R capitalized. This is translated Master. Jesus makes it very clear that there he is the only
Master.

The point I’m making is this, in the Bible the word Rabbi is found 8 times and the term
Rabboni which a Aramaic term for Rabbi, only once. In these passages when they refer to
Christ he accepts the title, but when the term Rabbi is applied to others he will not accept it.

So if a person is a teacher, or leader of some sort that is good, but if a person seeks to be
called Rabbi or Master this is very offensive to our Lord. This can apply to other terms such
as Father, or Reverend. Christ wants his people to be servants , not seek to be elevated to
some lofty position. In one of his last lessons Christ tells his followers this. Turn to
John 13:1-17Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of
this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being
ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the
Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and
laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to
wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and
Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not
now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash
thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands
and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye
are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had
washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to
you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your
feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to
you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that
sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Third, Jesus did not wear the clothes of a traditional rabbi as some have stated. When
Jesus walked on the earth, he probably wore the clothes of a carpenter. In Matt 9:20
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of
This refers to a common tunic that men wore on top of this would have been a
his garment:
mantle. Jesus criticizes the religious elite about their clothing in Matt 23:5
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their
garments, These rabbis would were a box with scripture on their foreheads which was scriptural as found in Ex 13:1-16.
But these rabbis would make the box larger to appear more pious. And they would enlarge the borders of their garments,
This refers to the tassels placed a the border of the mantle or cloak to remind them of the law. These rabbis would make
the tassels larger to draw attention to themselves.

It is not correct to compare our Lord Jesus Christ to any Jewish traditional rabbi.

The office of the rabbi, while important to the Jews of Jesus day, was not an office
that God ordained.

God placed the duties of teaching and serving in the temple to the sons of Levi. With the
destruction of the two temples in Jerusalem, the decline of the kings of Judah and Israel,
the spiritual leadership and teaching shifted to the Men of the Great Assembly. This
Assembly was made up of the earliest rabbis as we know them. These men eventually
formulated what is known as Judaism’s oral Law, which was written down as the Mishnah
and Torah.

In closing, Jesus is the greatest teacher of all. He alone is both Lord and Master. And
he alone can rightfully be addressed as “Rabbi.”

A final thought, you may wonder why it is important to address this teaching. It’s
because anything that is counter to the scripture has penalties to both those who teach it
and those who adhere to it. And more, Jesus, in every case criticized traditions of men.

If an idea is counter to the Word of God it is also counter to Jesus Christ himself.

Matthew 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples
transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto
them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy
father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say
to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his
mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites,
well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me
with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments
of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the
mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

The penalty,
Revelation 22:18 -19

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are
written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take
away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.

Author, Gary Walters