Reference: Doctor
Easton
(Lu 2:46; 5:17; Ac 5:34), a teacher. The Jewish doctors taught and disputed in synagogues, or wherever they could find an audience. Their disciples were allowed to propose to them questions. They assumed the office without any appointment to it. The doctors of the law were principally of the sect of the Pharisees. Schools were established after the destruction of Jerusalem at Babylon and Tiberias, in which academical degrees were conferred on those who passed a certain examination. Those of the school of Tiberias were called by the title "rabbi," and those of Babylon by that of "master."
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Hastings
In Lu 2:46 it is said that the boy Jesus was found in the Temple, 'sitting in the midst of the doctors.' The doctors were Jewish Rabbis. The Eng. word, like the Greek (didaskalos), means simply 'teacher.' So Lu 5:17 and Ac 5:34, where the Gr. for 'doctor of the law' is one word (nomodidaskalos). Bacon calls St. Paul 'the Doctor of the Gentiles.'