A title of respect among the Jews, signifying 'master, teacher,' but is not known to have been used till the time of Herod the Great. It was applied to the Lord, though often translated 'master' in the A.V. Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38,49; John 3:2,26; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 11:8 . Jesus forbade the disciples being called Rabbi, for one was their Master (καθηγητής),even Christ. Matthew 23:8 . According to the Jews the gradations of honour rose from Rab to Rabbi, and thence to Rabban or Rabboni.