I’ve had a couple great teachers over the years.  In fourth grade, I had an engaging history teacher.  He obviously really enjoyed teaching kids and had a way of making history interesting.  He could really tell the story and he would have drawings all over the blackboard.  His face was full of animation as he told of one battle or another.  Another great teacher was my Greek professor in college.  You could tell that he really wanted you to learn and he really enjoyed the subject matter.  So, even though Greek was really challenging to learn, he helped you to want to learn it and to keep pushing forward.

Well, in the New Testament, we are introduced to the Great Teacher, Jesus. This Greek word for teacher, didaskalos, is found in the New Testament 59 times according to Strong’s.  A majority of these occurrences are in the Gospels.  Sometimes it is also translated as master, especially in the King James Version.

This didaskalos teacher is a teacher who is “acknowledged for their mastery in their field of learning.”  (HELPS Word-studies).  I have taught food safety classes where you didn’t have to have a mastery of all you were teaching.  You just needed to be able to present the information ably enough that the students could learn enough information to understand the subject and in the end to pass a certification test.  I would certainly never call myself a master in the subject.

The Hebrew word for teacher is Rabbi.  Rabbi’s were shown great respect by the Jews.  Some enjoyed this role especially because of the reputation that they gained.  In Matthew 23:8, Jesus says, “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.”  I think that Jesus is saying that we shouldn’t seek titles for ourselves.  Yes, you can be a teacher, or a pastor, or whatever, but you shouldn’t place too much emphasis on your title.  Just do the work that God has called you to do.

Jesus gave us a good model for teaching, too, in that we shouldn’t be promoting our own ideas, but sharing with others what God has taught us, sharing the Gospel message according to the scriptures.  John 12:49–For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.

Verses:

Matthew 9:11 ESV  And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 12:38 NIV  Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

Matthew 22:36-37 NIV  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Mark 4:38 KJV  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Mark 10:17 NASB  As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 2:46 NASB  Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

Luke 6:40 NIV  The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

John 1:38 ESV  Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”  And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

John 3:2 KJV The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

1 Corinthians 12:28-29 NASB  And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, help, administrations, various kinds of tongues.  All are not apostles, are they?  All are not prophets, are they?  All are not teachers, are they?  All are not workers of miracles, are they?

Ephesians 4:11 KJV  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some as pastors and teachers.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.

Hebrews 5:12 NASB  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

James 3:1 NIV  Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

The G/K number for didaskolos is 1437.

The Strong’s number for didaskolos is 1320.