and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
They prowled the marketplaces stretching out their hands, uncovering their heads, bowing their knees, all to be noticed before crowds with marks of respect. And they loved the word Rabbi doubled in address: Rabbi, Rabbi. They claimed this title denoted their great authority and knowledge, though these honours were never meant for men at all.
AI summary
These men craved public marks of respect in the marketplaces where crowds gathered. The title Rabbi meant great, denoting superiority over those who addressed them with it; they were gratified to hear it often, for each repetition implied the speaker's inferiority. It fed their hunger for honour.
AI summary
The reiteration of Rabbi, Rabbi, shows how the word tickled their ear and fed their spiritual pride. It is the spirit of this desire for honour, springing from pride, that we must press; such violations have done incalculable evil in the Church of Christ.
AI summary