Matthew 23:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus repeats the point: his followers are not to claim the role of master, for Christ alone holds it.
What Does Matthew 23:10 Mean?
This completes a threefold instruction begun with Rabbi and father. The word here points to one who leads and directs. By naming himself as the one Master, Christ, Jesus places himself at the center of his community as its true and only guide.
The repetition drives the lesson home: leadership among Jesus' people is never a throne to be seized. Christ alone leads; all others serve under him. This frees the community from rivalry and from the worship of human authority. To confess Christ as Master is to find rest from the climb for position, and to take one's place gladly beneath the one who is worthy. Every other leader points to him, never away from him.
Matthew 23:10 in the Original Language
kathegetes (καθηγητής), 'master' -- a guide or leader who directs others, the one who goes before and shows the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 23:10
What does Matthew 23:10 mean?
Jesus repeats the point: his followers are not to claim the role of master, for Christ alone holds it.