Nazarene an epithet given to our Lord. There are two Greek words for this designation — Ναζαρηνός (only Mark 1:24; 14:67; 16:6; Luke 4:34); and (elsewhere) Ναζωραῖος — both derived from Ναζαρέθ, Nazareth of Galilee, the place of the Savior’s childhood and education. These two Greek words occur in the New Testament nineteen times; twice only are they rendered Nazarene (Matthew 2:23; Acts 24:5); everywhere else by the words “of Nazareth,” as Matthew 21:11. This appellative is found in the New Testament applied to Jesus by the daemons in the synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34); by the people, who so describe him to Bartimsus (Mark 10:47; Luke 18:37); by the soldiers who arrested Jesus (John 18:5,7); by the servants at his trial (Matthew 26:71; Mark 14:67); by Pilate in the inscription on the cross (John 19:19); by the disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:19); by Peter (Acts 2:22; 3:6; 4:10); by Stephen, as reported by the false witness (Acts 6:14); by the ascended Jesus (Acts 22:8); and by Paul (Acts 26:9). At first it was applied to Jesus naturally and properly, as defining his residence. In process of time, however, other influences came into operation. Galilee was held in disesteem for several reasons: its dialect was provincial, rough, and strange (Buxtorf, Lex. Talmud; Mark 14:70); its population was impure, containing not only provincial Jews, but also heathen, as Egyptians, Arabians, Phoenicians (Strabo, Geog. 16:523); its people were seditious (Josephus, as cited in Schleusner, s.v. Γαλιλαῖος); whence also the point of the accusation made against Paul, as “ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). Nazareth was a despised part even of Galilee, being a small, obscure place. Accordingly its inhabitants were held in little consideration everywhere. Hence the name Nazarene (Kuinol, in Matthew 2:23) became a term of reproach (Wetstein, in Matthew 2:23,23,23), and as such, as well as a mere epithet of description, it is used in the New Testament. “The name still exists in Arabic as the ordinary designation of Christians, and the recent revolt in India was connected with a pretended ancient prophecy that the Nanzarenes, after holding power for one hundred years, would be expelled.” SEE NAZARETH.
In Matthew 2:23, it is said of Jesus, “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.” This citation has received the following explanations (Spanheim, Dubia Evangelica, 2:538-648; Wolf,
Curce Philologicae, 1:46-48; Hengstenberg, Christology of the O.T. 2:106-112):
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Author: McClintock and Strong Cyclopedia
Keywords: Nazarene
Bible reference(s): Acts 2:22, Acts 22:8, Acts 24:5, Acts 26:9, Acts 3:6, Acts 4:10, Acts 6:14, Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 33:15, John 18:5, John 19:19, Judges 13:5, Luke 18:37, Luke 24:19, Luke 4:34, Mark 1:24, Mark 10:47, Mark 14:67, Mark 16:6, Matthew 11:19, Matthew 2:23, Matthew 21:11, Matthew 26:71, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12
Source: John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature.
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