Matthew Poole and continuators on John 1:49

49 Nathanael answered, and said unto him, Rabhi, thou art the Son of God , thou art the King of Israel u.

The term Rabbi, which Nathanael here giveth to Christ, is of the same significancy with Rabban, and Rabboni, Iohn 20.16. Rabban, Rabhi, Rabbi, all which signify Master, and my Master; a name which in that age they usually gave their Teachers, as a Title of Honour, Matth. 23.7, 8. titles that began about the time of our Saviour; for Buxtorf tells us, Purer antiquity gave no such Titles to their Teachers or Prophets, thinking it not possible to give those persons (extraordinarily sent of God) Titles answerable to their Dignity; They say, Hillel about our Saviours time was the first who was so called; Rabban was counted the highest; Rabbi the next, Rabhi the least. Rabban, they say, lasted but two hundred years, given to seven after Hillel. Nathanael calls him also the Son of God, as Peter, and the other Disciples did, Matth. 14.33. and Peter, Matth. 16.16. But it appeareth that they had but a faint perswasion of this, by many following passages, till he was declared so with power, by his Resurrection from the dead, Rom. 1.4.

He acknowledgeth Christ also the King of Israel, that is, the true Messiah. This was the title of the Messiah, Matth. 21.5. and 27.11.