Meaning
Rabbi <1,,4461,rabbei / rabbi> from a word rab, primarily denoting "master" in contrast to a slave; this with the added pronominal suffix signified "my master" and was a title of respect by which teachers were addressed. The suffix soon lost its specific force, and in the NT the word is used as courteous title of address. It is applied to Christ in Mat 26:25, Mat 26:49, Mar 9:5, Mar 11:21, Mar 14:45, Joh 1:38 (where it is interpreted as didaskalos, "master," marg., "teacher" (see also "Rabboni" in Joh 20:16); Joh 1:49, Joh 3:2, Joh 4:31, Joh 6:25, Joh 9:2, Joh 11:8; to John the Baptist in Joh 3:26. In Mat 1:23-8 Christ forbids his disciples to covet or use it. In the latter verse it is again explained as didaskalos, "master" (some mss. have kathegetes, "a guide").
