Matthew 2:23
And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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{ "references": [ { "reference": "Judges 13:5", "connection": "This passage describes Samson as a Nazirite from birth, a concept linguistically related to 'Nazarene' and prefiguring Jesus' unique separation to God's purposes." }, { "reference": "Isaiah 11:1", "connection": "This prophecy speaks of a 'shoot' or 'branch' from Jesse who will rule, a concept connected to the Hebrew word 'Netser' which sounds similar to 'Nazarene' and points to Jesus' humble origins and kingly destiny." }, { "reference": "Psalm 22:6", "connection": "This psalm famously laments, 'But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.' This echoes the contempt Jesus faced as a 'Nazarene,' fulfilling prophetic descriptions of the Messiah as one rejected and ridiculed." }, { "reference": "John 1:46", "connection": "Nathanael's incredulous question, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' directly illustrates the contempt associated with Jesus' hometown and thus his title as a 'Nazarene,' fulfilling the prophecy's prediction of scorn." }, { "reference": "Acts 24:5", "connection": "Here, Paul is referred to as a ringleader of the 'sect of the Nazarenes,' showing that the name, originally a fulfillment of prophecy, became a term of derision for Jesus' followers, further underscoring its significance." } ] }
After escaping Herod's murderous rage in Bethlehem and Egypt, Joseph and Mary are warned by an angel that the dangerous king has died. However, upon returning to Judea, Joseph learns Herod's cruel son Archelaus is now in charge, so he wisely redirects them to Galilee, settling in the obscure town of Nazareth. This humble upbringing there fulfills prophecy, marking Jesus as the despised Messiah foretold by the prophets.
Why would Jesus, the Messiah, choose to live in a town so insignificant that its name became a byword for worthlessness? It turns out, this humble dwelling was a key part of fulfilling prophecy.
Matthew 2:23 tells us Jesus lived in Nazareth "that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene." The town of Nazareth was notoriously looked down upon by many Jews. Its very name, possibly meaning 'sprout' or 'shoot,' suggested insignificance, especially when contrasted with the royal lineage of David. Yet, this obscurity was exactly what the prophets foretold.
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Many scholars point to passages like Isaiah 11:1, which speaks of a "shoot" or "branch" coming from Jesse's family. While this Hebrew word, 'netser,' can mean 'branch,' the connection to Nazareth and the name 'Nazarene' isn't a direct linguistic match but a deeper prophetic resonance. The prophets predicted the Messiah would come in humble circumstances, be despised and rejected. Jesus's residence in Nazareth perfectly embodied this prophetic picture of lowliness and contempt.
We often think of prophecy as a direct quote, word-for-word. But Matthew shows us prophecy's fulfillment can be much richer, encompassing the 'sense' and underlying themes of Scripture.
Matthew doesn't cite a single Old Testament verse for the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. Instead, he says "what was spoken by the prophets." This suggests Matthew is drawing on the overall message of the prophets, not a specific isolated text.
The prophets consistently foretold that the Messiah would not come in earthly glory or power, but in humble circumstances, experiencing rejection and contempt. Jesus living in Nazareth, a town synonymous with lowliness, perfectly fulfilled this broader prophetic picture. The commentators note that Matthew emphasizes the "sense" of the prophecies rather than quoting verbatim. This shows that divine fulfillment isn't always about exact wording but about the deeper meaning and the underlying character of God's plan being realized.
Understand the original words
prophētōn · Greek Noun
God's authorized spokesmen who conveyed His message to the people, often including predictions about the coming Messiah. Their words are authoritative because they are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
plērōthē · Greek Verb
To bring to pass, complete, or accomplish that which was written or foretold in Scripture. It signifies that the events of Jesus' life are not accidental but are the intentional outworking of God's redemptive plan.
Nazōraios · Greek Noun
A term identifying one from the town of Nazareth. In a theological sense, it often carries connotations of humility, lowliness, or being set apart, fulfilling Old Testament foreshadowings of the Messiah's humble nature.
Matthew highlights that Jesus's settlement in Nazareth, a small and often-despised town, was not accidental but a divine appointment. This fulfilled prophetic hints of the Messiah being called a 'Nazarene'—a term that implied lowliness and contempt, aligning with the Messiah's humble origins and rejection by many, even as it connected to Old Testament figures like Samson and Isaiah's prophecy of the 'Branch'.
c. 1200 BC
Samson's Nazirite Vow
The biblical figure Samson is set apart by a special vow, becoming a 'Nazarite' from birth, foreshadowing a life dedicated to God's service and deliverance.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Prophesies the 'Branch'
The prophet Isaiah speaks of a 'shoot' or 'branch' that will come from the line of Jesse, a Messianic title (Netser in Hebrew) that some scholars connect to the name Nazareth.
c. 620 BC
Jeremiah Prophesies the 'Righteous Branch'
Jeremiah also speaks of a 'righteous Branch' to be raised up to David, further developing the Messianic imagery.
c. 4 BC
Jesus Born in Bethlehem
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah's birthplace, but his family has roots in Nazareth.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 26— this verse
Jesus Raised in Nazareth
After fleeing to Egypt and returning, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus settle in Nazareth. Jesus grows up here, living a seemingly ordinary life until his public ministry.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Rejected by His Hometown
During his ministry, Jesus returns to Nazareth, but his hometown crowd rejects him, illustrating the contempt associated with the name 'Nazarene'.
c. AD 40s - 60s
Early Christians Called 'Nazarenes'
Followers of Jesus are first called 'Nazarenes' (or 'Nazarites') by outsiders, a term initially used with contempt but later embraced by believers.
This passage speaks of a 'shoot' or 'branch' that will come from the line of Jesse, which many interpret as a Messianic prophecy. The Hebrew word for 'branch' (netser) sounds similar to Nazareth, linking the humble origin of Jesus to a prophetic title.
Judges 13:5This verse describes Samson as a 'Nazarite' from birth, a consecrated individual set apart for God's purposes. While Matthew's text points to a fulfillment through Jesus' dwelling in Nazareth, the concept of being 'set apart' connects to the deeper meaning of the term 'Nazarene' as holy.
Psalm 22:6This psalm famously describes the suffering servant who is 'despised by men and ignored by the people.' This theme of rejection and contempt directly parallels the prophetic expectation that the Messiah would be scorned, a fate fulfilled in Jesus being called a 'Nazarene' from a despised town.
John 1:46Nathanael's famous question, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' highlights the low reputation of the town. This demonstrates how Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth, and thus being called a 'Nazarene,' was seen as a mark of lowliness, fulfilling the prophetic expectation of a despised Messiah.
Romans 8:29This verse speaks of believers being conformed to the image of God's Son, who is the 'firstborn among many brothers.' This idea of being set apart and consecrated, similar to the concept of a Nazirite or the humble origins of a Nazarene, aligns with Jesus' unique role as the one through whom many are made holy.
vincentMatthew 2:23: "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."
The prophetsNote the plural, as indicating not any one prediction in particular, but a summary of the import of several prophetic statements, such as Psalm 22:6, Psalm 22:8; Psalm 69:11, Psalm 69:19; Isaiah 53:2, Isaiah 53:3, Isaiah 53:4.A NazareneA term of contempt (compare John 1:46, and John 7:52). The very name of Nazareth suggested ins…
bensonMatthew 2:23: "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."
Matthew 2:23 . He dwelt in a city called Nazareth — Where he had formerly resided before he went to Bethlehem. Nazareth, as appears from Luke 4:29 , was built upon a rock, not far from mount Tabor. The country about it, according to Antoninus the martyr, was like a paradise, abounding in wheat and fruits of all kinds. Wine, oil, and honey,…
{ "references": [ { "reference": "Judges 13:5", "connection": "This passage describes Samson as a Nazirite from birth, a concept linguistically related to 'Nazarene' and prefiguring Jesus' unique separation to God's purposes." }, { "reference": "Isaiah 11:1", "connection": "This prophecy speaks of a 'shoot' or 'branch' from Jesse who will rule, a concept connected to the Hebrew word 'Netser' which sounds similar to 'Nazarene' and points to Jesus' humble origins and kingly destiny." }, { "reference": "Psalm 22:6", "connection": "This psalm famously laments, 'But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.' This echoes the contempt Jesus faced as a 'Nazarene,' fulfilling prophetic descriptions of the Messiah as one rejected and ridiculed." }, { "reference": "John 1:46", "connection": "Nathanael's incredulous question, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' directly illustrates the contempt associated with Jesus' hometown and thus his title as a 'Nazarene,' fulfilling the prophecy's prediction of scorn." }, { "reference": "Acts 24:5", "connection": "Here, Paul is referred to as a ringleader of the 'sect of the Nazarenes,' showing that the name, originally a fulfillment of prophecy, became a term of derision for Jesus' followers, further underscoring its significance." } ] }
After escaping Herod's murderous rage in Bethlehem and Egypt, Joseph and Mary are warned by an angel that the dangerous king has died. However, upon returning to Judea, Joseph learns Herod's cruel son Archelaus is now in charge, so he wisely redirects them to Galilee, settling in the obscure town of Nazareth. This humble upbringing there fulfills prophecy, marking Jesus as the despised Messiah foretold by the prophets.
After escaping Herod's murderous rage in Bethlehem and Egypt, Joseph and Mary are warned by an angel that the dangerous king has died. However, upon returning to Judea, Joseph learns Herod's cruel son Archelaus is now in charge, so he wisely redirects them to Galilee, settling in the obscure town of Nazareth. This humble upbringing there fulfills prophecy, marking Jesus as the despised Messiah foretold by the prophets.
"And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene." — { "references": [ { "reference": "Judges 13:5", "connection": "This passage describes Samson as a Nazirite from birth, a concept linguistically related to 'Nazarene' and prefiguring…
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