Rabbi - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Rabbi
[ 1,,G4461,rabbei / rabbi ] from a word rab, primarily denoting master" in contrast to a slave; this with the added pronominal suffix signified "my master" and was a title of respect by which teachers were addressed. The suffix soon lost its specific force, and in the NT the word is used as courteous title of address. It is applied to Christ in Matthew 26:25, Matthew 26:49; Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38 (where it is interpreted as didaskalos, "master," marg., "teacher" (See also "Rabboni" in John 20:16); John 1:49; John 3:2; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 11:8; to John the Baptist in John 3:26. In Matthew 23:7-Matthew 23:8 Christ forbids his disciples to covet or use it. In the latter verse it is again explained as didaskalos, "master" (some mss. have kathegetes, "a guide").