Matthew 23:9

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

And do not call any man on earth ‘father,’ [i.e., in a religious sense], for the [only] one who is your Father is in heaven.

Cross References

Matthew 23:10

Neither assume the title ‘Master’ [i.e., teacher], for [only] one is your Master, the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].

Matthew 6:32

For these are the things that the [unconverted] Gentiles keep trying to get. But your heavenly Father [already] knows you need these things.

Matthew 7:11

If then you know how to give good gifts to your children, even though you are sinful [human beings], how much more [likely] is it that your Father in heaven will give good things to those who ask Him?

Acts 22:1

“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense I want to make to you.”

1 Corinthians 4:15

For although you have ten thousand guardians [Note: This word means someone who transported a child to his teacher] in [the fellowship of] Christ, you do not have many [spiritual] fathers. For I [spiritually] conceived you people through [preaching to you] the good news [about Christ]. [Note: Paul here refers to his work in establishing the church at Corinth].

2 Corinthians 6:18

The Lord Almighty [also] said [Hos. 1:10], “I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me.”

Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them [for it]; should we not much rather submit to the Father of our spirits [i.e., God], so we can live [spiritually]?

1 John 3:1

Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is.