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QUESTION 20
Why was Jesus called a Nazarene in Matthew 2:23?

ANSWER:
Here is the verse, “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. I think the main reason for Him being called a Nazarene is that it was foreknown of God, so the prophets prophesied it. The problem is that no where in the Old Testament do we read this prophecy. This is used by critics to show that there are contractions in the Bible.

The city of Nazareth in Jesus's day was notoriously wicked. Nathaniel said, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth" John 1:46. Jesus could do no miracles in Nazareth, because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:6)He was hated and so were His disciples, as they were called the sect of the Nazarenes. (Acts 24:5) There is an allusion to this hatred in the Old Testament Isaiah 53:3, He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Also, many other places. This was very evident at the cross; also in that the Spirit of God repeatedly refers to Him, as Jesus of Nazareth. In the Bible there was much oral teaching that was never recorded. This was necessary because the Word was not complete. When the Canon of Scriptures closed in Revelation, this oral tradition was no longer necessary.

You will notice above in Matthew 2:23, where it does not say it was written, but spoken by the prophets.  It was never recorded, but repeated taught that He would be called a Nazarene. In Matthew 27:9 we read "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value." This verse was spoken by Jeremiah, but only written by Zechariah in chapter 11 verses 12-13. Hence, the practice of oral traditions.

The Bible is true. It tells us we are sinners and that Jesus is the Saviour. Is He your Saviour? Only if you have repented of your sins and trusted Him. If you have not, do it now. Tomorrow maybe too.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen