Michael Brooks
In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says: Call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. This passage has been interpreted by some to mean that Catholics should not refer to priests as father, as this violates Scripture and Jesus' direct command. However, Catholics reconcile this passage in several ways. Firstly, they argue that the term father is used in the Bible to refer to men who are not biologically related, and that Jesus did not intend for his words to be understood literally. Secondly, they highlight the context of Jesus' statement, which was a criticism of Jewish leaders who exalted themselves as authorities and teachers. Finally, Catholics assert that the interpretation of Scripture is entrusted to the Church, which includes the recognition of religious leaders as father, not to exalt them but to acknowledge their role as humble servants of God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jesus's words in Matthew 23:9 | Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven |
| Interpretations | Jesus was criticising Jewish leaders for their pride and setting themselves up as authorities; Jesus did not intend for his words to be understood literally; Jesus emphasised the primary role of God as the Father; Jesus was referring to spiritual fatherhood, not physical fatherhood; Jesus was prohibiting the use of the term "teacher" |
| Catholic responses | The term "father" is used in the Bible to refer to ancestors and non-biological fathers; the Apostles referred to their religious leaders as "Father"; the Bible uses the term "father" in other contexts, so a literal interpretation of Jesus's words is not intended; the Church has the authority to interpret Scripture |
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What You'll Learn
- Jesus' words in Matthew 23:9 are not to be taken literally
- The use of father in reference to earthly fathers is acceptable
- Jesus emphasises the primary role of God as the Heavenly Father
- Jesus criticises Jewish leaders for their sinful and proud behaviour
- The interpretation of Scripture is given to the Church, in communion with Peter
Jesus' words in Matthew 23:9 are not to be taken literally
In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says, "Call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven". Many Protestants claim that when Catholics address priests as "father", they are engaging in an unbiblical practice that Jesus forbade. However, there are several reasons why Jesus' words in Matthew 23:9 are not to be taken literally.
Firstly, the imperative "call no man father" does not apply to one's biological father. It also doesn't exclude calling one's ancestors "father", as is shown in Acts 7:2, where Stephen refers to "our father Abraham", or in Romans 9:10, where Paul speaks of "our father Isaac". In John 8, Jesus identifies spiritual fatherhood in terms of whom one honors. If we honor God, He is our Father; if we honor the devil, he is our father. Therefore, the concept of God as Father would be meaningless if we obliterated the concept of earthly fatherhood.
Secondly, there are numerous examples in the New Testament of the term "father" being used as a form of address and reference, even for men who are not biologically related to the speaker. For instance, Paul calls the recipients of his letter "his little children" in 1 John 2:1, and in Galatians 4:19, he refers to them as his children. The Apostles also refer to their religious leaders as "Father", acknowledging their role as teachers and humble servants in the service of God.
Thirdly, a careful examination of the context of Matthew 23 shows that Jesus didn’t intend for his words to be understood literally. Jesus was criticizing the Jewish leaders for their pride and setting themselves up as ultimate authorities, father figures, and teachers. He used hyperbole (exaggeration) to make his point, as He often did, such as in Matthew 5:29 when He said, "if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out". Clearly, Jesus did not intend for this to be applied literally.
Finally, if we interpret Matthew 23:9 literally, it would contradict Jesus' claim in Matthew 5:17, where He says He came not to abolish but to fulfill the Law of the Old Covenant. A literal interpretation of Matthew 23:9 would also contradict the fourth commandment to "honor your father and your mother". Therefore, we can conclude that Jesus' words in Matthew 23:9 are not to be taken literally and that the Catholic practice of addressing priests as "father" is not unbiblical.
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The use of father in reference to earthly fathers is acceptable
In Matthew 23:9, Jesus instructs his followers, "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." This passage has been a subject of discussion and interpretation among Catholics and other Christian denominations. While some may view this as a literal prohibition against referring to anyone on earth as "father," including earthly fathers, the Catholic Church interprets this passage in a broader context that allows for the respectful use of the term "father" in reference to earthly fathers and within the Church hierarchy.
The Catholic understanding of this passage is based on the belief that Jesus was not condemning the use of the word "father" in general, but rather instructing his followers against pride and spiritual hypocrisy exhibited by the religious leaders of his time. In the
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Jesus emphasises the primary role of God as the Heavenly Father
In Matthew 23:9, Jesus emphasizes the primary role of God as the Heavenly Father. The verse reads, "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." This statement by Jesus has been interpreted in various ways, and it is essential to understand the context and intent behind his words.
Firstly, it is important to note that Jesus was addressing the religious leaders of his time, specifically the scribes and the Pharisees, whom he criticized for their hypocrisy and pride. They often held significant social and religious authority, and titles like "Rabbi," "father," and "teacher" were used as signs of respect and acknowledgment of their knowledge. Jesus, however, wanted to shift the focus from human authority to the ultimate authority of God as the Heavenly Father.
Jesus' statement can be understood as a warning against elevating human leaders to a status that competes with or diminishes the reverence due exclusively to God. The title "father" could imply an inappropriate level of spiritual authority when used for religious teachers or leaders. Jesus wanted to emphasize that true spiritual leaders should recognize that their wisdom and knowledge are gifts from God and that their role is to serve God and others, not seek personal glory or power.
Furthermore, the use of the word "father" in the verse does not refer to one's biological father. Common sense tells us that Jesus was not forbidding the use of the word "father" in the context of earthly fatherhood. To do so would rob the address "Father" of its meaning when applied to God. The concept of God as the Heavenly Father is distinct from human fatherhood, emphasizing His unique position as the source of all authority and the one whom we choose to honor.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the Apostles, including Paul, referred to their religious leaders as "Father" while understanding that this was not to exalt them but to acknowledge their role as teachers and humble servants of God. The term "father" is also used in the Bible to refer to spiritual fatherhood, such as in Galatians 4:19, where Paul calls the recipients of his letter his children. Therefore, the interpretation of Matthew 23:9 should consider the broader context of Jesus' teachings and the use of the term "father" throughout the Bible.
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Jesus criticises Jewish leaders for their sinful and proud behaviour
In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says, "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven". This statement is part of a broader criticism of Jewish leaders, specifically the Pharisees, for their sinful and proud behaviour.
In the preceding verses, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their fixation on status, positions of importance, and titles of honour such as "Rabbi", "Father", "Teacher", and "Master" (Matthew 23:6-7). He uses hyperbole to exaggerate their desire for "the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues" (Matthew 23:6). By doing so, Jesus exposes the Pharisees' pride and their failure to recognise God as the ultimate source of authority and fatherhood. Instead, they set themselves up as idols, demanding worship and honour for themselves.
Jesus' instruction not to call anyone on earth "father" is not a blanket injunction against the use of such titles. Rather, it is an exhortation to humility. He wants to prevent His followers from giving any man a spiritual status above others, as this title and attitude should be reserved for God alone. This interpretation is supported by the apostle Paul, who saw himself as a spiritual father figure but never insisted on being called "father". Instead, he acknowledged his humble role as a servant of God.
Catholics reconcile this passage by understanding the context in which it was said. They interpret it as a critique of the Pharisees' misuse of the title "father" rather than a literal prohibition of the word itself. This interpretation is supported by the numerous examples in the Bible where the term "father" is used as a form of address for men who are not biologically related, including the use of “father” for God. Additionally, Catholics believe that Jesus invested the Church with the power to interpret Scripture, and so the interpretation of this passage falls under the authority of the Church.
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The interpretation of Scripture is given to the Church, in communion with Peter
The interpretation of Scripture is not a "workaround" but is based on study and theology. The term "father" is used in the New Testament to refer to men who are not biologically related to the speaker. The objection to Catholics calling priests "father" must be wrong. Jesus did not intend for his words in Matthew 23:9 to be understood literally. He was using hyperbole to show how sinful and proud the scribes and Pharisees were for setting themselves up as authorities, rather than looking to God as the source of all authority, fatherhood, and teaching.
The Apostles refer to their religious leaders as "Father", acknowledging their role as teachers and humble servants in the service of God. The use of the word "father" in reference to earthly fathers is common in the Bible. For example, in Acts 7:2, Stephen refers to "our father Abraham", and in Romans 9:10, Paul speaks of "our father Isaac".
Jesus established the Church through his ministry, atoning death, resurrection, and outpouring of the Spirit. Apostolic tradition consists of what the Apostles taught, rather than the Church's later understanding of it. The Roman Catholic Church believes that Holy Scripture and holy tradition are the two sources of divine revelation given to humanity, and that only the Roman Church can properly interpret them. The Pope, as the bishop of Rome, has the job of interpreting God's Word accurately. This authority was first given to the apostle Simon Peter and has been passed on through a continuous line of successors.
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Frequently asked questions
Jesus emphasizes the primary role of the Heavenly Father in Matthew 23:9. He does not intend to abolish the concept of earthly fatherhood, as this would rob the address "Father" when applied to God of its meaning.
Jesus criticizes Jewish leaders for their sinful and proud behavior in Matthew 23:6-7. He uses hyperbole to show how they set themselves up as authorities, father figures, and teachers. Catholics interpret this passage in context, understanding that Jesus was addressing the scribes and Pharisees and their misinterpretation of scripture.
Catholics interpret Matthew 23:9 in the context of the surrounding verses, specifically Matthew 23:6-12. They understand that Jesus was not abolishing the concept of earthly fatherhood but rather emphasizing the unique role of God as the Heavenly Father. Additionally, they recognize that the term "father" is used in the Bible to refer to spiritual fatherhood, such as in Galatians 4:19 where Paul calls the recipients his children.
Catholics believe that Jesus invests the Church with the power to interpret scripture, as seen in Matthew 16:18-19 and Acts 8:30-34. They understand that the term "father" is used metaphorically in the Bible to refer to spiritual fatherhood and that the Apostles themselves refer to their religious leaders as "Father."
