So many strawmen, so little time.
The CONTEXT is spritual leader. Christ is specifically refuting a Pharasitical habit of calling the leaders "Rabbi", "Father", "Teacher" in matters dealing with scriptural teaching and mentoring.
Is this a difficult concept for you?
"Follow your bishop, every one of you, as obediently as Jesus Christ followed the Father. Obey your clergy too as you would the apostles; give your deacons the same reverence that you would to a command of God. Make sure that no step affecting the Church is ever taken by anyone without the bishops sanction. The sole Eucharist you should consider valid is one that is celebrated by the bishop himself, or by some person authorized by him. Where the bishop is to be seen, there let all his people be; just as, wherever Jesus Christ is present, there is the Catholic Church." -St. Ignatius of Antioch, early 2nd century.