Matthew 2:23

Nazareth. A small country town about 64 mi. (102 km.) north of Jerusalem, and between the lower end of the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean, on approximately the same site as the modern en-Nasirah. The ancient village was probably situated on the western slope rising from the floor of a depression surrounded by hilltops. The depression is pear-shaped, about a mile across, with the neck of the pear pointing southward and opening by a narrow, winding ravine into the broad plain of Esdraelon. The village was situated 1,144 ft. (c. 348 m.) above sea level, and about 920 ft. (c. 280 m.) above the plain. It lay in the territory anciently assigned to the tribe of Zebulun. See illustration facing p. 512.

Some have traced the name Nazareth, or Nazareth, to a root meaning “to protect,” or “to guard,” and assign it the meaning “watchtower,” an apt description of its location high in the Galilean hills. Others derive it from a root meaning “branch” or “sprout,” which would make it a descriptive name suggestive of the dense brushwood in the hills round about. The exact form of the original name, and thus its meaning, are both uncertain.

This is the first Biblical mention of Nazareth, which may imply that it was either insignificant or nonexistent in earlier times. Josephus does not include it in a list of some 200 towns and villages of Galilee. It was proverbial for its wickedness even among the people of Galilee (see on Luke 1:26).

From the top of the hill above the town a magnificent view may be had in every direction. About 20 mi. (32 km.) to the west lie the blue waters of the Mediterranean. To the south is the broad, fertile plain of Esdraelon, with the mountains of Samaria beyond. About 5 mi. (8 km.) to the east rises Mt. Tabor, and in the distance, beyond the depression of the Jordan, the plateau of Gilead. To the north are the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains.

The prophets. The fact that no specific prophecy resembling the one here referred to appears in the OT has led critical students of the Bible to point to this statement as an error, and therefore evidence that Matthew was not inspired. However, it is worthy of note that in previous instances where Matthew quotes a specific prophecy he speaks of “the prophet” (chs. 1:22; 2:5, 15, 17). His use of the plural form of the word “prophets” in this instance clearly implies reference, not to a particular prophetic statement, but to several, which, taken together, led to the conclusion here stated (see on Ezra 9:11; Neh. 1:8). It is possible, also, that Matthew quotes inspired writings that did not become a part of the canon of Scripture.

Nazarene. Some have suggested that this name was derived from the Heb. nazir, “nazirite,” meaning “separated one,” and that Matthew’s statement originally read, “He shall be called a Nazirite” (see on Num. 6:2). But the derivation is extremely unlikely. Furthermore, Jesus was obviously not a Nazirite (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:33, 34; cf. Num. 6:2-4). The more likely root is nasar, from which is derived neser, a “sprout,” “sprig,” or “shoot.”

Neser is translated “Branch” in Isa. 11:1, a clear Messianic prophecy. The more common word for “Branch” in Messianic prophecy is semach (Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12). It is possible therefore that the derivation of Nazareth from neser may be correct, and that the prophecies of Jesus as the “Branch” could appropriately be applied to the fact that He grew up in the city of Nazareth (see on Deut. 18:15).

Others have seen in Matthew’s statement concerning Christ as a Nazarene a reference to the reproach that came, first upon the town of Nazareth, and later upon Jesus and His followers. The popular attitude toward Nazareth is evident from John 1:46; cf. ch. 7:52. The Messiah would be “despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:3; see also Ps. 22:6-8). Jesus was to appear, not as a celebrated ruler, but as a humble man among men. He was not even to be known as a Bethlehemite, and to have what honor might attach to Him as a citizen of the city of David. Either this or the preceding solution to the problem would seem to be in accord with Scripture.