Matthew 23:9 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Call no man your Father - Our Lord probably alludes to the Ab, or father of the Sanhedrin, who was the next after the nasi, or president. See on Matthew 20:21 (note). By which he gives his disciples to understand that he would have no Second, after himself, established in his Church, of which he alone was the head; and that perfect equality must subsist among them.