Teachers conserved the values and education of a nation and passed them on to each new generation. In Old Testament times the first teachers were often parents (Deuteronomy 6:7, 20–25; 11:19–21). Leaders like Moses and Aaron were charged with teaching the people (Leviticus 10:11). Later the priests and Levites had a teaching function (Deuteronomy 24:8; 33:8–10; 2 Chronicles 17:7–9; Ezra 44:23; Micah 3:11). God himself was thought of as a teacher (Psalms 25:8, 12; 27:11; 32:8; 86:11; Isaiah 2:3).
In the New Testament, the Greek noun for “teacher” and the verb “to teach” are widely used. John the Baptist was called a teacher (Luke 3:12). The term is used more than 30 times to refer to Jesus (Matthew 4:23; 5:2; 7:29; 9:35; 11:1; Mark 1:21; 2:13; 4:1–2; 6:2, 6, 34; Luke 4:15, 31; 5:3; 6:6; John 6:59; 7:14, 28; and so on). People recognized his teaching as authoritative (Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22; Luke 4:32). Even when Jesus was 12 years old he conversed in a profound way with the teachers of the law in the temple (Luke 2:46). These men were often associated with the Pharisees (5:17). Gamaliel was a Pharisee and a teacher of the law (Acts 5:34). The term “rabbi” was often used to denote teacher. The rabbi was held in great honor. In the early church, the teacher was widely recognized (Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28–29; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 1:11; James 3:1).