What does Matthew 23:7 mean?

Jesus is describing the hearts and motives of some of the most respected men in Israel: the religious leaders known as scribes and Pharisees. He is exposing them as men who crave attention and honor; they only do good deeds to receive the praise of other men. In every way, these religious men serve their pride above all else. Status and position drive their actions (Matthew 23:1–6).

These self-important men also love the public attention brought by their positions as holy men. They love to be given grand greetings and deference in public places. They love the title that comes with their status: "rabbi," meaning "teacher." This was a title of respect and sometimes affection for the religious men who taught the law to the people.

Titles, themselves, are not necessarily wrong. But placing undue emphasis on them—or insisting on them—is arrogance and hypocrisy for a follower of Jesus. Christ will instruct His disciples to avoid using names and titles in ways meant to elevate one person over another (Matthew 23:8).