The Names of Jesus - Elmer Towns

Rabboni
The title Rabboni is used only on two occasions to refer to Jesus. It was first used by
blind Bartimaeus in his request for sight (Mark 10:51). Later, Mary Magdalene used it upon her
recognition of the resurrected Christ. On both occasions it was used by people who had a deep
sense of loyalty or affection for Christ because of a major miracle He had performed in their
behalf. It is an intensified form of the title “Rabbi” and might be translated “My Rabbi.” When
Mary used it on that resurrection morning, she no doubt spoke it with deepest love for and
commitment to the One who was not. just another teacher but the One she would claim to be her
own (John 20:16).
Didaskalos
A third instructive name for Jesus is the Greek word didaskalos, usually translated
“teacher” or “master.” This was the title Nicodemus used when he addressed Jesus as “a teacher
come from God” (John 3:2). It was characteristic of His ministry that the crowds who heard Him
teach were astonished at His doctrine or teaching (cf. Matthew 7:28,29; Mark 1:22,27). Although
it is popular today to speak of the sermons of Jesus, it would probably be more correct to
consider them as his Adult Bible Class lessons, because they refer to Jesus' teaching rather than
preaching. Six major blocks of Jesus' teaching are recorded in Matthew, including the Sermon on
the Mount (Matthew 5-7), His instructions to His apostles before sending them out (Matthew
10), His parables on the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13), His teaching on greatness in the
church (Matthew 18), His sermon in the temple on the day of testing (Matthew 21-23), and the
Olivet Discourse concerning things to come (Matthew 24-25). John includes an additional
account of a teaching session of Jesus, the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-16), and several
detailed accounts of other lessons. Luke also emphasizes the teaching ministry of Jesus,
particularly in recording the various parables He taught.
The teaching of Jesus was unique in both content and style. He taught not the tradition of
men as was common in His day but the Word of God. Like the prophets of old, He spoke on
behalf of God; but unlike those who prefaced their most authoritative appeals with the remark
“Thus saith the Lord,” Jesus was unique for His comment, “But I say unto you. “ He differed
from the scribes, the usual teachers of the Law, not only in content but in His style of teaching.
When a scribe taught the Law, he announced his text and proceeded to recite all the various
opinions of other respected teachers of the Law. Only then did he conclude by announcing the
consensus of scholarship on the subject. But Jesus spoke authoritatively with little or no appeal
to the usual authorities.
Kathegetes
A final name of Jesus which alludes to His teaching ministry is the term kathegetes,
meaning “guide.” It is used only on one occasion in the New Testament, where Jesus urged His
disciples, “Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ” (Matthew 23:10).
Here this term is twice translated “master” in the King James Version, but other translators have
used words like “leader,” “teacher,” and “instructor” to convey the meaning of this word. It
differs from the other words for “teacher” in Scripture in that it conveys the image of a teacher