Why did Jews call Jesus as Rabbi?

Was Jesus a Rabbi 

Greetings dear brothers and sisters in Christ 

It is clear from the gospels that Jesus had a reputation as a Jewish rabbi (Mark 14:45; John 1:38). Peter (in Mark 9:5) and Mary Magdalene (in John 20:16) both mentioned Jesus as “Rabbi.” Moreover, the Jewish ruler Nicodemus thought that this title was appropriate for Jesus: “Rabbi, we all know that you simply are an educator who has come from God. 

For nobody could perform the signs you're doing if God weren't with him” (John 3:2). Elsewhere, we see Jesus mentioned as “Teacher” (Mark 5:35). According to John 1:38, Rabbi and Teacher are synonymous titles.

A rabbi (literally, “my master”) may be a member of the clergy within the religion of Judaism. Rabbis often function as leaders of synagogues where they supply instruction within the Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish traditions. 

Rabbis preach sermons, interpret the Old Testament, and perform other functions almost like those of Christian pastors. While Jesus was never a part of the official temple leadership, He was still considered a rabbi due to His ministry of teaching. Even the Babylonian Talmud describes Jesus as a teacher who had students (Sanhedrin 43a).

During the primary century AD, the word rabbi was utilized in a more informal sense than today. In Jesus’ day, the title “Rabbi” merely signified that an individual had a reputation as a wise teacher or sage. 

Gamaliel the Elder, who taught Saul of Tarsus and who is mentioned in Acts 5:34–40, is mentioned within the Mishna as a rabbi: “Since Rabban [Rabbi] Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and piety died out at the same time” (Sotah 15:18). 

We learn from John’s gospel that John the Baptist was also addressed by this title: “They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the opposite side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he's baptizing, and everybody goes to him’” (John 3:26).

So it seems undeniable that Jesus was considered a wise teacher and thus might be properly categorized as a rabbi because the term was utilized in Jesus’ time. It wasn’t until after the destruction of the temple in AD 70 that the title of “Rabbi” took on a more formal meaning for those that were ordained in the rabbinic movement. 

As time went on, the definition of rabbi continued to evolve. So, yes, Jesus was a rabbi, as defined within the first century, but today He wouldn't hold an equivalent title, as defined in modern-day Judaism.

  Glory to God