Matthew 23:10

Μηδὲ κληθῆτε καθηγηταί· εἷς γὰρ ὑμῶν ἐστιν ὁ καθηγητής, ὁ Χριστός.

RBT Greek Interlinear:

Strongs 3366; mēde; μηδὲ; nor; Conj

Strongs 2564; klēthēte; κληθῆτε; be called; V-ASP-2P

Strongs 2519; kathēgētai; καθηγηταί; instructors; N-NMP

Strongs 3754; hoti; ὅτι; because/that; Conj

Strongs 2519; kathēgētēs; καθηγητὴς; instructor; N-NMS

Strongs 4771; hymōn; ὑμῶν; of yourselves; PPro-G2P

Strongs 1510; estin; ἐστιν; is; V-PIA-3S

Strongs 1520; heis; εἷς; one; Adj-NMS

Strongs 3588; ho; ὁ; the; Art-NMS

Strongs 5547; Christos; Χριστός; anointed one; N-NMS

RBT Translation:

Neither be summoned as mentors because a mentor of yourselves is one, the Anointed One.

"Can't be trusted with a word!"

The noun καθηγητής (from καθηγέομαι, “to lead, to guide intellectually”) denotes not simply a didactic “teacher” (for which there is already διδάσκαλος), but an authoritative mentor entrusted with comprehensive intellectual, ethical, and often personal formation. Plutarch consistently employs the term for figures whose role exceeds instruction and extends to moral supervision, philosophical guidance, and character-shaping leadership.

In Conjugalia Praecepta 1 a wife refers to her husband as καθηγητής καὶ φιλόσοφος καὶ διδάσκαλος, placing καθηγητής at the head of a sequence that intensifies the idea of guiding influence.

Modern translations that render καθηγητής simply as “instructor” obscure this precise semantic field; the closest modern equivalent is “mentor”—a figure combining intellectual authority, moral guidance, and formative leadership.

(cf. Perseus καθηγητὴς)

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
Nor be ye called leaders, for one is your Leader, Christ.

LITV Translation:
Nor be called leaders, for One is your Leader, the Christ.