Bible Dictionaries
Rabbi

　　 RABBI . The transliteration of a Heb. word meaning my master. In Matthew 23:7 it is referred to as ‘the usual form of address with which the learned were greeted’ (Dalman, Words of Jesus , p. 331); in the following verse it is regarded as synonymous with ‘teacher.’ John the Baptist is once called ‘Rabbi’ by his disciples ( John 3:28 ). Elsewhere in the Gospels it is our Lord who is thus addressed: by His disciples ( Matthew 26:25; Matthew 26:49 , Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45 , John 1:38; John 1:49; John 4:31; John 9:2; John 11:8 ), by others ( John 3:2; John 6:25 ). Rabboni is the transliteration of the Pal.-Aram. [Note: Aramaic.] form of the word; it occurs twice, namely in Mark 10:51 and John 20:16 .

　　J. G. Tasker.