What’s in a Name?
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
In prior weeks Theology 101 has directed our thoughts to truths that flow from some of the formal titles assigned to Jesus — Christ, Messiah, Lord, Son of Man, Son of God. We now continue with some of the functional titles by which the Bible speaks of Jesus, beginning this week with that of “Teacher.” While pronouncing woes upon some of the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus admonished them not to covet being referred to by others as “teachers,” while reminding them that “one is your Teacher, the Christ” (Matt. 23:8–10). The term for “teacher” is often rendered into English as “master.” These terms are somewhat interchangeable in that they translate the same Greek word.
Reputation as a teacher
Long before the disciples confessed Him to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16), they commonly addressed Jesus as “Teacher.” On the occasion when they were caught in a windstorm while Jesus slept through the storm, the disciples awakened Him with their frantic question, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). On another occasion Nicodemus sought out Jesus at night. Jesus acknowledged that Nicodemus was himself “the teacher of Israel” (John 3:10), but even such a renowned Jewish teacher had approached Jesus, saying, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). Jesus’ reputation as a teacher was quite widespread.
Later in Jesus’ public ministry when opposition became more pronounced, various Jewish groups addressed Him as “Teacher.” In Matthew 22 for example some Pharisees sought to entangle Jesus in His words, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (vv. 16–17). Then some Sadducees questioned Him about the resurrection, addressing Jesus as “Teacher” (v. 24). After that a lawyer sought to put Jesus to the test with a question about which is the greatest commandment in the law, also addressing Him as “Teacher” (v. 36). Whether these questioners were sincere or not, they did reflect a common recognition that people held Jesus to be a remarkable teacher.
This way of referring to Jesus no doubt arose from the manner in which He taught the people. Officers from the chief priests and Pharisees on one occasion exclaimed concerning Jesus, “No man ever spoke like this Man” (John 7:46).
When Jesus finished His famous Sermon on the Mount, “the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28–29). At the point when many of Jesus’ hearers were turning away from Him, He asked the disciples if they also would go away. Their answer was packed with significance: “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
Later, Jesus explained, “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works” (John 14:10). Both manner in which Jesus taught (with authority) and the content of what He taught (words of eternal life) earned Him the common title of “Teacher.” To this, Jesus brought into His ministry of teaching the common touch that common people could understand. He was the master communicator, using analogies, parables and everyday examples, such that the common people heard Him gladly (Mark 12:37). How well do we hear Him today?
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jerry Batson is a retired Alabama Baptist pastor who also has served as associate dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and professor of several schools of religion during his career.
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