Matthew 23:9 web — Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.

World English Bible

"Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven."

— Matthew 23:9, World English Bible

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Matthew 23:9 in Other Translations

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Matthew 23 — Context

6

and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

7

the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi, Rabbi' by men.

8

But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.

9

Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.

10

Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.

11

But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.

12

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 23:9 say?
Matthew 23:9 in the World English Bible reads: “Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.”
Where is Matthew 23:9 in the Bible?
Matthew 23:9 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 23, verse 9.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 23:9.
What translation should I read Matthew 23:9 in?
Matthew 23:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 23:9?
Matthew 23:9 reads (WEB): “Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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