(He didn't say ".... unless he's actually your father or teacher.")
So that makes His original statement a great deal more strict, more exceptionless than you're implying.
But then--- and here's what I'd call a "clarifying paradox" --- you go through the whole rest of the New Testament and you see Apostles repeatedly calling themselves, and being called, both "father" and "teacher."
You can conclude one of two things: either that
I say it's clearly the latter.
This "Semitic hyperbole" thing is for real. My husband and I used to attend a church that had Arab Christian members. Our Syrian friend Sami used to say extravagant things like "That guy's so rich he could buy California and give you back Frisco for small change." Or "Welcome to my house. My wife and I, we give it to you, it's yours. No, really, take anything you like. Stack up the dishes, roll up the carpets and take them. Our home is yours!"
It's dramatic exaggeration, like when Paul says. "Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy, and gluttons."
Or when Jesus says,that unless you "hate" everyone in your family for the sake of the Gospel, you are not worthy to be a disciple. Anti-religious polemicist want to read this as literal hate; we reply by identifying such sayings as containing a rhetorical emphasis, not referring to literal, mandatory, universal family-hate.
Emphasis. Semitic hyperbole.
Great discussion on these verses of our term Father. I personally found out through prayer and reading scripture many answers that I seeked over the years. I had profound experiences. I believe this is much ado about nothing on this term. The Lord talk a down to earth style at times. Thanks for discourse. Peace in Christ.
Great wisdom when I read you. Thanks. Hugs in Christ!