Greek word · G4461

ῥαββί

rabbi

Rabbi

From Hebrew/Aramaic rab, "great one", plus -i, "my": "my master", "my lord". In the first century it was a respectful way of addressing a teacher or superior. It was not yet a formal title for someone ordained in a recognized school.

Appears 15 times in 15 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

ῥαββεί (Rec. -βί, see WH, App., 155) (Heb. and Aram. רַב, my master; see Dalman, Words, 327, 331 ff.),

a title of respectful address to Jewish teachers, Rabbi: Matthew 23:7-8; of John, John 3:26; of Christ, Matthew 26:25, 49, Mark 9:5 11:21 14:45, John 1:30, 50 3:2 4:31 6:25 9:2 11:8; κύριε ῥ Mark 10:51 (WH, mg., see: ῥαββουνεί).†

ῥαββουνεί (Rec. -βονί, see: ῥαββεί) (Aram. רַבּוֺנִי, later, רִבּוֺנִי my master; on the Greek vocalization and the relation of the word to ῥαββεί, see Dalman, Words, 324, 340; Gr., 140; DB, iv, 190)

Rabboni: Mark 10:51 (WH, mg., κύριε ῥαββεί), John 20:16.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of John 3:2

Range of meaning: From Hebrew/Aramaic rab, "great one", plus -i, "my": "my master", "my lord". In the first century it was a respectful way of addressing a teacher or superior. It was not yet a formal title for someone ordained in a recognized school.
Against the English: English "Rabbi" makes modern readers think of an ordained Jewish clergyman leading a congregation. In John 1:38 the evangelist himself translates it "Teacher", which is how a Greek-speaking audience was meant to hear it.
How it drifted: After 70 AD the rabbinic movement made "Rabbi" a formal title for recognized, ordained sages. The modern clergy sense comes from that later development and from medieval and modern Judaism.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the New Testament it appears mainly in the Gospels as a form of address (Matt 23:7–8; Mark 9:5; John 1:38, 49; 3:26). The Mishnah, compiled about 200 AD, uses "Rabbi" as a title for post-70 sages. Scholars debate how formal the term was before 70: an ossuary inscription and the Gospel usage suggest it was an honorific address rather than a credential.

From the study of John 1:49

Range of meaning: Aramaic/Hebrew rab means 'great one, master', and the ending -i means 'my': 'my master'. In Jesus' day it was a respectful way to address a teacher or a respected person. It was not yet a formal title with recognized credentials. The more formal sense of an ordained scholar of the law developed later, especially after AD 70.
Against the English: Modern English readers hear 'rabbi' as the professional leader of a synagogue, a role like a minister. In John 1 the word is the ordinary polite address of a student to a teacher, which is why John glosses it as 'Teacher' (1:38).
How it drifted: The modern meaning comes from the later rabbinic movement and from present-day Judaism, where 'rabbi' is an office reached by ordination.
Used elsewhere in the period: John translates it for Greek readers: 'Rabbi (which means Teacher)' (1:38). Compare 'Rabbouni' (20:16) and Matt 23:7–8, where it is a title of honor people liked to receive in public. Ossuaries (bone boxes) from the 1st century carry the title, though the dating of some is debated.

From the study of John 1:38

Range of meaning: From Hebrew/Aramaic rab, 'great, master', with the ending -i, 'my'. Literally 'my great one' or 'my master'. It was a respectful form of address, used especially for a teacher of Torah.
Against the English: Most versions transliterate it as 'Rabbi'. KJV renders John's Greek gloss as 'Master', which matches the root meaning ('my great one') but not John's own explanation, 'teacher'.
How it drifted: After 70 CE, and especially in the Mishnah period (around 200 CE), 'Rabbi' became the formal title of ordained sages. Later it came to mean a congregational religious leader. Modern readers bring both of these meanings back to Jesus' day.
Used elsewhere in the period: Rab and rabbi as forms of respectful address appear in Jewish sources. The New Testament uses it as a form of address (Matt 23:7–8; Mark 9:5; John 3:2, where Nicodemus uses it). Ossuary inscriptions from around the first century, such as the one found at Jerusalem with 'rbi' (discussed by Shanks), suggest the honorific was used informally before 70. Formal ordination (semikhah) as a fixed institution is attested later.

Where it appears

Matthew · 4

Matthew 23:7 ῥαββί Rabbi

the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

Here: A Hebrew/Aramaic word carried over into Greek: rav, 'great one, master', plus -i, 'my'. So 'my great one, my master'. Here it is the respectful address a Torah teacher received. Being greeted this way in public is the honour they 'love'.
Matthew 23:8 ῥαββί· Rabbi;

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.

Here: A Hebrew/Aramaic word written in Greek letters: rab ("great one, master") plus -i ("my"), so "my great one, my master." In Jesus' day it was a respectful way to address a teacher, and verse 7 has just named it as something the scribes enjoy being called in public.
Matthew 26:25 ῥαββί; Rabbi?

Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”

Here: An Aramaic and Hebrew title of respect, literally “my great one,” used for a teacher. The other disciples said “Lord” (kyrie, v. 22). In Matthew, only Judas calls Jesus “Rabbi” (here and 26:49), and Jesus had told his followers not to seek that title (23:7–8).
Matthew 26:49 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Here: An Aramaic/Hebrew form of address meaning "my great one, my master," used for a respected teacher. In Matthew only Judas calls Jesus this (26:25 and here). The other disciples say "Lord."

Mark · 3

Mark 9:5 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Mark 11:21 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”
Mark 14:45 ῥαββί Rabbi

Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

John · 8

John 1:38 ῥαββί, Rabbi

Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”

Here: An Aramaic/Hebrew title of respect, literally 'my great one' or 'my master', used to address a respected teacher. By using it they offer themselves as would-be students.
John 1:49 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Here: A Hebrew/Aramaic word of respect, literally 'my great one'. It was how people spoke to a teacher, and John explains it as 'Teacher' in 1:38. Nathanael begins with the usual polite address to a teacher and then goes far beyond it.
John 3:2 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”

Here: A respectful Aramaic/Hebrew form of address, literally "my great one". John 1:38 translates it as "Teacher". From a senior Pharisee to a Galilean with no formal training, it is a courteous and generous title.
John 3:26 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”

Here: A respectful Aramaic/Hebrew form of address, literally 'my great one,' which John's Gospel explains as 'Teacher' (1:38). It shows the loyalty of disciples to their teacher. This is the only place in the Gospels where John is addressed this way.
John 4:31 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

Here: An Aramaic/Hebrew respectful address, literally 'my great one', which John himself translates as 'Teacher' (1:38). It is how pupils addressed the man they followed.
John 6:25 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”
John 9:2 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Here: A Hebrew/Aramaic word carried over into the Greek: literally 'my great one', used as a respectful address for a teacher. John has already explained it for Greek readers as 'Teacher' (1:38).
John 11:8 ῥαββί, Rabbi,

“Rabbi,” they replied, “the Jews just tried to stone You, and You are going back there?”

Here: A respectful way to address a teacher. Literally it is "my great one." Starting with it makes the objection polite: students are questioning their master's plan with due deference.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.