– From the Hebrew rabbi or rabban , or even raboni , my lord, my master. Term used for the religious leaders of the Jewish community or for the masters, deep knowledge of the rabbinic doctrine.
– So John the Baptist was called by his disciples:
John 3:26 : Master, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, behold, he is baptizing.
– Also Jesus, by the first disciples:
Jo 1,38-49 : “What are you looking for?”. They said to him: “Rabbi (which means Master), where do you live?”.
– This was the treatment that Nicodemus gave him:
Jo 3,2 : Rabbi, we know that you are a Teacher come from God. No one can do these miracles that you do.
– Judas, when betraying Jesus, treated him as Master or Rabbi:
Mt 26,25.49 : Judas, the traitor, took the floor and asked: “Master, will it be me?” – “Yes”, said Jesus.
Mk 14:45 : As soon as he approached Jesus, he said: “Rabbi!”, and kissed him.
– The disciples treated Jesus this way in special situations:
Mk 9,5 : Master, it is good for us to be here; we will make three tents: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.
Mk 11:21 : Look, Master, how the fig tree you cursed has withered!
Jn 4:31 : Meanwhile, the disciples asked him: “Master, eat”.
Jo 6,25 : Finding him on the other side of the lake, they asked him: “Master, when did you get here?”.
John 9:2 : Master, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jn 11:8 : “Teacher”, they replied, “a little while ago the Jews wanted to stone you, and are you going back there?”.
– But Jesus did not want to be called a rabbi or teacher:
Mt 23,1-12 : But do not be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, and you are all brothers.
