ῥαββί
rhabbi
Rabbi
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ῥαββί (rhabbi) is a transliteration of the Aramaic term "rabbi," which means "teacher" or "master." In the 17 occurrences of this word in the Bible, it is used to address or refer to Jewish religious leaders, often in a context of respect or deference. The range of usage for ῥαββί is primarily in the New Testament, where it is used to address or refer to Jewish leaders such as Jesus (Matthew 26:49, Mark 9:5, John 1:38), as well as other unnamed individuals (Matthew 8:21, 9:11, 15:1, etc.). In some cases, the term is used in a more formal or honorific sense, while in others it is used in a more casual or even mocking tone. The significance of ῥαββί lies in its representation of the complex relationships between Jesus and the Jewish leaders of his time. The use of this term highlights the tension between Jesus' authority and the traditional authority of the Jewish leaders, and serves as a reminder of the cultural and linguistic context in which the New Testament was written.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
17 total occurrences across the text
the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
Matthew 23:7the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
Matthew 23:8But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
Matthew 26:25Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”
Matthew 26:49Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Mark 9:5Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Mark 11:21Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”
Mark 14:45When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Mark 14:45When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him.
John 1:38Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”
John 1:49Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
John 3:2The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
John 3:26They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”
John 4:31In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
John 6:25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
John 9:2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
John 11:8The disciples asked him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”