A teacher, instructor, master. Didaskalos is the Greek equivalent of Hebrew rabbi. It was one of the most common titles for Jesus — 'Teacher' — acknowledging His authority to interpret Scripture and instruct in the way of God.
Jesus was recognized as didaskalos even by opponents (Mark 12:14). But He taught 'as one who had authority, not as the scribes' (Mark 1:22). His teaching was not commentary on other rabbis but direct divine declaration. The early church valued teaching as a foundational gift (Ephesians 4:11). James warned that teachers face stricter judgment (James 3:1), because teaching shapes souls.