# Jesus a Rabbi?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-a-rabbi/22053>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 11, 2000, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-a-rabbi/22053 "2000-06-11T20:54:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2000, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-a-rabbi/22053/1 "2000-06-11T20:54:57Z")

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This thread sorta flows from the Rabbi thread, and the Leviathan thread.

In a couple of passages in the King James version of the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as a “Rabbi.” I’ve always wondered how accurate a translation that is, and what the original word in the Greek versions is. Does anyone have access to the original Greek? ( **Duck Duck Goose** , for example - that electronic Bible resource of yours?)

Two examples (courtesy Danielinthewolvesden):

John 1:38: “Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master) where dwelleth you?”

John 1:49: “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”

Modern translations use different wording. For example, the Good News Bible keeps “Rabbi” in the first example, but not the second:

John 1:38: Jesus turned, saw them following him, and asked, “What are you looking for?” They answered, “Where do you live, Rabbi?” (This word means “Teacher.”)

John 1: 49: “Teacher,” answered Nathanael, “you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Any thoughts?

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**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2000, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-a-rabbi/22053/2 "2000-06-11T21:27:49Z")

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Where the NT uses the word “rabbi”, it uses it untranslated from the Aramaic ( ie when they use the word “rabbi” it appears like that in the original greek translations). Sometiems they do translate it, with different results ( eg as “master”, which carries an incorrect connotation today). They also use the term “rabboni”, and translate that as “master” too, when a stronger term such as “great master” or “lord & master” might be better.