To understand the full significance of Jesus being addressed “Rabbi,” one must know what a Jewish teacher of the first century was and how he functioned in that society.

By the time Jesus began his public ministry, he had not only received the thorough religious training typical of the average Jewish man of his day, he had probably spent years studying with one of the outstanding rabbis in the Galilee. Jesus thus appeared on the scene as a respected rabbi himself. He was recognized as such by his contemporaries, as passages in the New Testament illustrate:

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said, “Rabbi, what is it?” (Luke 7:40)

A lawyer asked him a question to test him: “Rabbi, what is the greatest commandment in the Torah?” (Matthew 22:35-36)

And behold, a [rich] man came up to him and said, “Rabbi, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16)

And someone in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi, order my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” (Luke 12:13)

And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi, rebuke your disciples.” (Luke 19:39)

Some of the Sadducees came up to him…and they asked him, saying, “Rabbi….” (Luke 20:27-28)

Note the diversity of those who addressed J

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