Church of God Knowledge Encyclopedia

Nazareth

Revision as of 16:43, 14 November 2025 by Isaacp (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{성경지명 |image=thumb|center|Nazareth is located in the northern part of Israel. |title=Nazareth |나라=Israel |행정구역=North |면적=16.5 km² |해발=347 m |인구=77,440 (as of 2019) |특징=Hometown of Jesus Christ }} '''Nazareth''' (Hebrew: נָצְרַת, Greek: Ναζαρά<ref>[https://biblehub.com/greek/3478.htm Strong's Greek: 3478. Ναζαρέθ], ''Bible Hub''</ref>) is a small city in the region of Galilee in...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Nazareth (Hebrew: נָצְרַת, Greek: Ναζαρά[1]) is a small city in the region of Galilee in northern Israel. It was the hometown of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus Christ.[2] Heavily influenced by Gentile culture, Nazareth was marginalized within mainstream Jewish society and is not mentioned in the Old Testament. According to the New Testament, apart from a brief period during His infancy when He fled to Egypt, Jesus spent His childhood and early adulthood in Nazareth until about the age of thirty, when He was baptized. Because of this, He is often referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Nazareth
Nazareth is located in the northern part of Israel.

Geographic Feature

Location

 
Nazareth, the village where Jesus lived (Source: NASA)
 
Scenery of Nazareth

Nazareth is situated between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 347 meters above sea level.[3] With its mild climate, the area is well suited for the growth of various plants such as olive trees and cedars, and it is known for its beautiful landscapes. Today, the city is called en-Nasirah and has developed into the largest Christian city in Israel.[4]

Meaning of the Name “Nazareth”

There are two main theories regarding the etymology of Nazareth (Natsrat, נָצְרַת). Some scholars believe it derives from the Hebrew verb natsar (נָצַר),[5][6] meaning “to guard” or “to watch,” suggesting interpretations such as “watchtower” or “outpost.”[7] Others propose that it comes from netzer (נֵצֶר),[8] which means “branch” or “shoot.”[9]

Nazareth in the Old Testament

Nazareth is not mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament.[10] It was such a remote and obscure place that it does not appear in the Talmud—the central text of Rabbinic Judaism—or in the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus.

After the Israelites entered Canaan, the tribe of Naphtali, which inherited the territory of Galilee, failed to completely drive out the native inhabitants. Consequently, the region remained under strong Gentile influence and was marginalized within mainstream Jewish society. Following the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the area came under the rule of various foreign powers for about six centuries, further intensifying its Gentile character.[11] These circumstances help explain why Nazareth in Galilee remained unnoticed and insignificant for so long.

Nazareth in the New Testament

Even during the New Testament era, Nazareth was neither prominent nor widely recognized. For instance, when Philip told Nathanael that he had found the Savior and identified Him as “Jesus of Nazareth,” Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” This response reflects how people of that time viewed the small and insignificant village.[12]

Hometown of Jesus

Nazareth first appears in the New Testament when the angel Gabriel visited Mary, the mother of Jesus, to deliver the message of the Annunciation.[13] Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus, lived in Nazareth. However, when they traveled to Bethlehem in response to the census decree, Jesus was born there. Because of King Herod’s order to kill the infants, the family fled to Egypt for a time. After returning from Egypt, they settled once again in Nazareth. Jesus thus grew up in Nazareth and lived there until the time of His baptism.[2][14][15][16]

Jesus of Nazareth

The Four Gospels and the book of Acts frequently refer to Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth.” Even Jesus Himself referred to Himself with that title.

  • “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24)
  • When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47)
  • When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. (Mark 14:67)
  • Another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” (Matthew 26:71)
  • “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” (Acts 2:22)
  • “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:10)
  • “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)
  • Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (John 18:4–5)
  • “ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.” (Acts 22:8)

Fulfillment of Prophecy

Matthew recorded that Jesus being called a “Nazarene” was the fulfillment of prophecy.[2] As foretold in the Bible—that a great light would shine in Galilee[17]—Jesus began His public ministry by preaching the gospel throughout the region, including His hometown of Nazareth. However, the people of Nazareth rejected His message and even attempted to kill Him.[18]


He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read . . . “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” . . . “. . . no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Luke 4:16–30


Apostle Paul, who followed the example of Jesus and preached the gospel, was accused of being the “ringleader of the Nazarene sect.” This shows that the religious leaders of that time referred to the early Christian church—which believed in Jesus as the Savior—as the “Nazarene sect.”[19] Jesus Himself was despised because He came from Galilee[20] and from the humble town of Nazareth. In this way, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled—that the Christ would be despised and rejected by people.[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Strong's Greek: 3478. Ναζαρέθ, Bible Hub
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Matthew 2:19–23".
  3. ↑ "Luke 4:29".
  4. ↑ Nazareth, Bible Hub
  5. ↑ Strong's #5341 - נָצַר, StudyLight.org
  6. ↑ Nazareth Meaning, New Generation Dictionary
  7. ↑ Nazareth, Jesus’ village, Bible Lands News
  8. ↑ Strong's #5342 - נֵצֶר, StudyLight.org
  9. ↑ Strong's #3478 - Ναζαρέθ, StudyLight.org
  10. ↑ Proving Biblical Nazareth: Evidence for the Key Sites of Jesus, Trevor Harris, Key-line Christian Research Pty, Limited, 2016, pg.220
  11. ↑ Galilee of the Gentiles, Bible Hub
  12. ↑ "John 1:45-46".
  13. ↑ "Luke 1:26–33".
  14. ↑ "Luke 2:39".
  15. ↑ "Luke 4:16".
  16. ↑ "Mark 1:9".
  17. ↑ "Isaiah 9:1–2".
  18. ↑ "Matthew 13:53–58".
  19. ↑ "Acts 24:1–5".
  20. ↑ "Matthew 4:12–17".
  21. ↑ "Isaiah 53:2–3".
Retrieved from "https://churchofgod.wiki/en/en/index.php?title=Nazareth&oldid=7516"