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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Mat_23:8-12. Ὑμεῖς ] with which the discourse is suddenly turned to the disciples, is placed first[9] for sake of emphasis, and forms a contrast to the Pharisees and scribes.
μὴ κληθῆτε ] neither wish nor allow it.
πάντες δέ ] so that no one may violate the fraternal tie on the ground of his supposed superiority as a teacher.
καὶ πατέρα , κ . τ . λ .] The word πατέρα , by being placed at the beginning, becomes emphatic, and so also ὑμῶν , by being separated from πατέρα to which it belongs: And you must not call any one father of you upon earth, i.e. you must not apply the teacher’s title “our father” ( àÈá , see Buxtorf, p. 10, 2175; Ewald as above) to any mere man. Comp. Winer, p. 549 [E. T. 738].
Mat_23:10. Neither are you to allow yourselves to be called leaders (in the scholastic sense), for the leader of you is One (see critical notes), the Messiah. For examples of the way in which Greek philosophers were addressed by their disciples, see Wetstein.
Ὁ ΔῈ ΜΕΊΖΩΝ ὙΜῶΝ , Κ . Τ . Λ .] But among you greatness is to be indicated quite otherwise than by high-sounding titles: the greater among you, i.e. he among you who would surpass the others in true dignity, will be your servant. Comp. Mat_23:12. This is a saying of which Jesus makes very frequent use (Luk_14:11; Luk_18:14). Comp. Mat_20:26 f.; also the example of Jesus in the washing of the disciples’ feet, and Php_2:6 f.
ταπεινωθ .… ὑψωθ .] that is, on the occasion of the setting up of my kingdom.
[9] In consequence of this address to the disciples, Holtzmann, p. 200, regards the whole discourse, in the form in which it has come down to us, as an historical impossibility. Observe, however, the impassioned and lively way in which the topics are varied so as to suit exactly the different groups of which the audience was composed (see on ver. 1).
REMARK.
The prohibitions, Mat_23:8 ff., have reference to the hierarchical meaning and usage which were at that time associated with the titles in question. The teacher’s titles in themselves are as legitimate and necessary as his functions; but the hierarchy, in the form which it assumed in the Catholic church with the “holy father” at its head, was contrary to the spirit and mind of Jesus. Apropos of Mat_23:11, Calvin appropriately observes: “Hac clausula ostendit, se non sophistice litigasse de vocibus, sed rem potius spectasse.”