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.”

Context:Matthew 2:23 is part of the narrative of Jesus’ early life. After the wise men visited Jerusalem seeking the newborn King of the Jews, they were directed by Herod to Bethlehem. Following their visit to the baby Jesus, an angel warned Joseph in a dream about Herod’s intention to harm the child. Consequently, Joseph took Jesus and Mary and fled to Egypt. After Herod’s death, Joseph received another divine message in a dream, prompting him to return to the land of Israel. However, hearing that Herod’s son Archelaus was reigning in Judea, Joseph chose to settle in Nazareth of Galilee.

Fulfillment of Prophecy:Matthew states that Joseph’s decision to settle in Nazareth was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophets. However, it is important to note that no specific Old Testament prophecy mentions that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. Instead, it seems that Matthew is referring to a general theme or expectation found throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, indicating that the Messiah would come from a humble and despised background.

The Significance of Nazareth:Nazareth was a small, insignificant town in Galilee during the time of Jesus. It was not a prominent or esteemed place. In fact, Nathanael’s sceptical question in John 1:46, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? reflects the lowly reputation of the town. By settling in Nazareth, Jesus, the promised Messiah, identified with the humble and marginalised.

Jesus as the “Nazarene”:While the specific prophecy about Jesus being called a Nazarene is not found in the Old Testament, the term Nazarene holds significance. It signifies Jesus’ association with Nazareth and his identification with humility and rejection. It highlights the fulfilment of prophecies that spoke of the Messiah’s humble background, such as Isaiah 53:2-3, which describes the Messiah as a root out of dry ground and despised and rejected by men.

A Life Lesson:Matthew 2:23 teaches us the importance of humility and how God’s plan can often run contrary to human expectations. Jesus, the Son of God and Saviour of the world, chose to grow up in a small and despised town. This demonstrates that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that greatness in His Kingdom is often found in lowliness and servanthood (Matthew 20:26-28).

In conclusion, Matthew 2:23 emphasises the fulfilment of the prophecies that Jesus would come from a humble background. The term Nazarene signifies Jesus’ association with Nazareth and his identification with humility and rejection. This verse teaches us the value of humility and reminds us that God’s plan often operates differently from human expectations.