Matthew 23:9
And do not call anyone on the earth your ‘Father,’ for you have only one Father, the heavenly Father.
Open English Bible (US)
In The King James Version
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
In Context
10Nor must you allow yourselves to be called ‘leaders,’ for you have only one leader, the Christ.
Cross References
Malachi 1:6“A son honors his father and servant their master. If I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the one who fears me? So says the Lord to you, priests who despise my name. You ask, ‘How have we despised your name?’
Matthew 6:32All these are the things for which the nations are seeking, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I am about to make.”
1 Corinthians 4:15Though you may have thousands of instructors in the faith of Christ, yet you have not many fathers. It was I who, through union with Christ Jesus, became your father by means of the good news.
Matthew Henry on Matthew 23:2-13
The Scribes and Pharisees Condemned; Cautions against Pride. 1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men:… Read the whole commentary →