Every Catholic has probably faced the question at some point: “Didn’t Jesus say, ‘Call no man father’?” It often comes from well-meaning Protestant friends or even skeptics who think Catholics are ignoring Scripture when they address priests as Father.

Fr. Richard Simon offers a clear, biblical explanation that goes beyond the soundbite. His response also sheds light on the deep spiritual relationship behind the title.

The Bible Passage in Question

The verse often quoted comes from Matthew 23:9, where Jesus says:

“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.”

At first glance, this sounds absolute. But Scripture has to be read as a whole. Elsewhere in the New Testament, St. Paul repeatedly describes himself as a spiritual father.

St. Paul on Spiritual Fatherhood

In his Letter to Philemon, verse 10, Paul calls Onesimus his “child” whom he “begot” while in chains. The Greek verb used here means to engender or to father.

Paul also writes to the Corinthians:

“For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel” (1 Cor 4:15).

And in Ephesians 3:14-15, Paul bows his knees before the Father of Jesus Christ, “from whom every fatherhood in heaven and on earth is named.”

These verses show that the early Church did not erase the concept of human fatherhood – whether biological or spiritual. Instead, Paul embraces it as an image of God’s own fatherhood.

What Did Jesus Mean?

So, if Paul speaks of being a father in Christ, what does Jesus mean when He warns, “Call no man father”?

Fr. Simon explains: Jesus is condemning the misuse of authority, not the word father. The context in Matthew 23 is a warning against religious leaders who set themselves up as ultimate authorities. They wanted honorific titles and demanded allegiance that belonged to God alone.

Jesus also says in that same passage:

- “Call no man rabbi” (rabbi means my great one, a term of reverence).

- “Call no man teacher.”

And yet, across denominations, Christians still use titles like Doctor (literally “teacher”), Reverend (essentially “rabbi”), and Pastor. The prohibition is not against the titles themselves but against treating any human leader as if he replaces God.

As Fr. Simon puts it: “Don’t have gurus. Don’t hand your life over to another person as if they can dictate your every move – even what socks you should wear. That’s what Jesus is warning against.”

Why Catholics Call Priests “Father”

Catholics call priests Father because it names a relationship. Just as biological fathers give natural life, priests are entrusted with nurturing spiritual life through the sacraments, preaching, and pastoral care.

This is not new to Catholic tradition. From the first centuries, Christians referred to priests, bishops, and monastic leaders as fathers. The Desert Fathers of the early Church were revered precisely because they guided others in holiness.

Fr. Simon emphasizes: “I am not for the title Father. I am for the relationship Father.”

A Relationship Rooted in Scripture

When Paul says he “engendered” believers in Christ, he is claiming spiritual fatherhood. The Church continues that same reality today.

Final Thought

So, the next time someone asks you, “Why do Catholics call priests father if Jesus said not to?” you can answer with Scripture itself: St. Paul called himself a father, Christ is the source of all fatherhood, and Catholic priests carry on that spiritual fatherhood today.

That’s not against the Bible – it’s right at the heart of it.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Every Catholic has probably faced the question at some point: &ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t Jesus say, &lsquo;Call no man father&rsquo;?&rdquo; It often comes from well-meaning Protestant friends or even skeptics who think Catholics are ignoring Scripture when they address priests as Father.
Fr. Richard Simon offers a clear, biblical explanation that goes beyond the soundbite. His response also sheds light on the deep spiritual relationship behind the title.
<hr data-start="1382" data-end="1385">
The Bible Passage in Question
The verse often quoted comes from Matthew 23:9, where Jesus says:
<blockquote data-start="1490" data-end="1576">
&ldquo;And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
At first glance, this sounds absolute. But Scripture has to be read as a whole. Elsewhere in the New Testament, St. Paul repeatedly describes himself as a spiritual father.
<hr data-start="1754" data-end="1757">
St. Paul on Spiritual Fatherhood
In his Letter to Philemon, verse 10, Paul calls Onesimus his &ldquo;child&rdquo; whom he &ldquo;begot&rdquo; while in chains. The Greek verb used here means to engender or to father.
Paul also writes to the Corinthians:
<blockquote data-start="2002" data-end="2159">
&ldquo;For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel&rdquo; (1 Cor 4:15).
</blockquote>
And in Ephesians 3:14-15, Paul bows his knees before the Father of Jesus Christ, &ldquo;from whom every fatherhood in heaven and on earth is named.&rdquo;
These verses show that the early Church did not erase the concept of human fatherhood &ndash; whether biological or spiritual. Instead, Paul embraces it as an image of God&rsquo;s own fatherhood.
<hr data-start="2492" data-end="2495">
What Did Jesus Mean?
So, if Paul speaks of being a father in Christ, what does Jesus mean when He warns, &ldquo;Call no man father&rdquo;?
Fr. Simon explains: Jesus is condemning the misuse of authority, not the word father. The context in Matthew 23 is a warning against religious leaders who set themselves up as ultimate authorities. They wanted honorific titles and demanded allegiance that belonged to God alone.
Jesus also says in that same passage:
- &ldquo;Call no man rabbi&rdquo; (rabbi means my great one, a term of reverence).
- &ldquo;Call no man teacher.&rdquo;
And yet, across denominations, Christians still use titles like Doctor (literally &ldquo;teacher&rdquo;), Reverend (essentially &ldquo;rabbi&rdquo;), and Pastor. The prohibition is not against the titles themselves but against treating any human leader as if he replaces God.
As Fr. Simon puts it: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t have gurus. Don&rsquo;t hand your life over to another person as if they can dictate your every move &ndash; even what socks you should wear. That&rsquo;s what Jesus is warning against.&rdquo;
<hr data-start="3520" data-end="3523">
Why Catholics Call Priests &ldquo;Father&rdquo;
Catholics call priests Father because it names a relationship. Just as biological fathers give natural life, priests are entrusted with nurturing spiritual life through the sacraments, preaching, and pastoral care.
This is not new to Catholic tradition. From the first centuries, Christians referred to priests, bishops, and monastic leaders as fathers. The Desert Fathers of the early Church were revered precisely because they guided others in holiness.
Fr. Simon emphasizes: &ldquo;I am not for the title Father. I am for the relationship Father.&rdquo;
<hr data-start="4301" data-end="4304">
A Relationship Rooted in Scripture
When Paul says he &ldquo;engendered&rdquo; believers in Christ, he is claiming spiritual fatherhood. The Church continues that same reality today.
<hr data-start="5599" data-end="5602">
Final Thought
So, the next time someone asks you, &ldquo;Why do Catholics call priests father if Jesus said not to?&rdquo; you can answer with Scripture itself: St. Paul called himself a father, Christ is the source of all fatherhood, and Catholic priests carry on that spiritual fatherhood today.
That&rsquo;s not against the Bible &ndash; it&rsquo;s right at the heart of it.
<hr>
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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