Jesus of Nazareth (c. 6–4 BCE—c. 30 CE) is often addressed as “rabbi” in the New Testament gospels. 

The term is a Greek transliteration of the Aramaic title for a teacher and is used of Jesus more so than any other designation (Mark 9:5; 10:51; 11:21; 14:45; Matt 26:25, 49; John 1:38, 49; 3:2; 4:31; 6:25; 9:2; 11:8). According to scholar Bruce Chilton, “as judged by the depth and breadth of these references, as well as their number, the best historical designation for Jesus is clearly “rabbi” (2008, 1291–1292).

The title possibly means “my great one” or “my master,” and was the usual means by which one referred to a teacher during Jesus’ time and in Jewish tradition (Daniel 2:48; 4:6; 5:11; Mishnah Avoth 1:6, 16). As such, it referred to an individual whose wisdom was valued and believed to deserve the title. However, being called “rabbi” did not involve an institutional qualification until a much later period, well after the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.

Jesus is not only addressed as “rabbi” by his disciples but also explicitly by followers on the margins of his movement (Mark 10:51; John 6:25). He also boasted the title among those potentially or actually opposed to him (John 3:2, cf. Mark 12:14). 

References

Chilton, Bruce. 2008. “Master/Rabbi.” In The Routledge Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus, edited by Craig A. Evans, 1291–1301. London and New York: Routledge. (Apple Books pagination).