Matthew 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.

And {G2532} he came {G2064} and dwelt {G2730} in {G1519} a city {G4172} called {G3004} Nazareth {G3478}: that {G3704} it might be fulfilled {G4137} which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} by {G1223} the prophets {G4396},{G3754} He shall be called {G2564} a Nazarene {G3480}.

and settled in a town called Natzeret, so that what had been spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he will be called a Natzrati.

and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.

Context of Matthew 2:23

This verse concludes the infancy narrative in Matthew's Gospel, detailing the return of Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus from Egypt. After Herod the Great's death, Joseph intended to return to Judea, but upon hearing that Herod's son Archelaus reigned there, he was divinely warned in a dream. To avoid Archelaus's tyranny, who was known for his cruelty (see Matthew 2:22), Joseph chose to settle in Galilee, specifically in the obscure town of Nazareth. This decision was not merely pragmatic but, as Matthew emphasizes, a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Prophetic Fulfillment: Matthew consistently highlights how Jesus' life meticulously fulfills ancient prophecies, underscoring His identity as the promised Messiah. The move to Nazareth, though seemingly a practical choice by Joseph, was part of God's overarching plan. This echoes Matthew's recurring theme, such as the fulfillment of prophecy in Matthew 1:22 and the return from Egypt in Matthew 2:15.
  • Humility and Obscurity: Nazareth was a small, unremarkable, and often looked-down-upon town in Galilee. Nathanael's famous question, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46), reflects the general low esteem of the place. Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth signifies His humble beginnings, aligning with prophecies of the Messiah being despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3).
  • Jesus' Identity as "The Nazarene": This title became an identifier for Jesus and, later, for His followers (e.g., Acts 24:5).

Linguistic Insights and Prophetic Connection

The phrase "He shall be called a Nazarene" presents a unique challenge, as no single Old Testament verse explicitly states this. Matthew says it was "spoken by the prophets" (plural), suggesting a general theme rather than a specific quote. Scholars offer several interpretations:

  • Connection to "Branch" (Netzer): One prominent view links "Nazarene" to the Hebrew word netzer (נֵצֶר), meaning "branch" or "shoot." This word is used in messianic prophecies, particularly in Isaiah 11:1: "a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots." This aligns with Jesus' Davidic lineage and the expectation of a new kingly shoot from the root of Jesse.
  • Derogatory Connotation: Given Nazareth's low reputation, "Nazarene" may have been a term of contempt or derision. If so, Matthew implies that Jesus' association with this despised town fulfills prophecies about the Messiah's humble status and suffering, being "despised and rejected of men" (as in Isaiah 53:3). In this sense, "Nazarene" encapsulates the prophetic theme of the Messiah's lowliness and rejection.
  • General Prophetic Summation: It could also be a summation of several prophetic themes that point to the Messiah's humble origins, His association with the common people, and His eventual rejection, all of which were characteristic of a person from Nazareth.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:23 reminds us that God's plan often unfolds in unexpected and humble ways. Jesus, the King of kings, grew up in an obscure and unregarded town, fulfilling prophecy not through grandeur but through everyday circumstances. This teaches us:

  • God uses the Ordinary: God can use any place, any person, and any circumstance to accomplish His divine purposes. Our background or perceived insignificance does not limit God's ability to work through us.
  • Humility is a Virtue: Jesus' identification with Nazareth underscores the value of humility. God often exalts the humble and those who embrace a servant's heart.
  • Trust in God's Plan: Even when our path seems uncertain or leads through unexpected places, we can trust that God is sovereignly guiding our steps, fulfilling His purposes in ways we may not fully understand at the moment.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Judges 13:5

    For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

  • John 1:46

    And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

  • Mark 1:24

    Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

  • Matthew 26:71

    And when he was gone out into the porch, another [maid] saw him, and said unto them that were there, This [fellow] was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Matthew 1:22

    Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

  • Luke 1:26

    ¶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
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