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One of the most common objections Catholics hear—especially from Fundamentalist Baptists—is: “Jesus said call no man on earth your father!” The assumption is that this prohibits calling Catholic priests “Father.” But when we actually read the Bible carefully, a very different picture emerges.
In this episode of Catholic Bible Highlights, we’re diving into 12 key passages that not only debunk this myth but reveal how the practice of calling spiritual leaders “Father” is deeply biblical—and apostolic.
Start Here: Matthew 23:8–10
Highlight Jesus’ teaching: “Call no man on earth your father, for you have one Father—he who is in heaven.” Then ask yourself: do we take that literally? If so, what about “teacher” or “instructor”? And why did Jesus use this kind of exaggerated language?
Context Matters: Hyperbole in Jesus’ Teaching
Compare Matthew 23 to other strong statements by Jesus:
- Matthew 5:29–30 – “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.”
- Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother…”
Clearly, Jesus often used hyperbole to make a point—not to prohibit literal practices.
Jesus Himself Uses the Term “Father”
Consider these examples:
- Luke 16:24, 30 – The rich man calls Abraham “Father Abraham”—twice.
- John 8:56 – Jesus refers to “your father Abraham.”
- Matthew 19:19 – Jesus reaffirms the commandment to “honor your father and mother.”
Jesus clearly didn’t mean we could never use the word “father” for humans—he used it himself!
The Apostles as Spiritual Fathers
Paul and John both refer to themselves as spiritual fathers:
- 1 Corinthians 4:15 – “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
- 1 Timothy 1:2 – “To Timothy, my true child in the faith.”
- 2 Timothy 2:1 – “You then, my son…”
- Galatians 4:19 – “My little children…”
- 1 John 2:1 – “My little children…”
Spiritual parenthood is a real and biblically affirmed concept. Paul and John saw themselves as spiritual fathers to their communities.
So Why Did Jesus Say “Call No Man Father”?
Jesus was correcting prideful religious leaders who loved titles and power. He was calling his followers to humility—not banning every use of “father.”
“Jesus’ statement ‘Call no man your father on earth’… uses the common Hebrew method of exaggeration or hyperbole to teach that God the Father is the ultimate source of authority.” —Dave Armstrong
What About the Mass?
Every Catholic Mass includes the words of Jesus: “Our Father, who art in heaven…” No priest thinks he replaces God the Father. Instead, our spiritual fathers in the priesthood lead us to him. That’s their whole purpose.
Final Thought
It’s not unbiblical to call a priest “Father.” It’s biblical. It’s apostolic. And it’s part of honoring the spiritual fatherhood that God himself gives to those who shepherd his flock. If St. Paul did it, and St. John did it, and Jesus himself did it—so can we.
So grab your Bible, highlight these verses, and share them in love. The Bible is the bridge—and the destination is full communion with the Church that still has spiritual fathers.