Nazarene

This epithet (Greek: Nazaraios) is applied to Christ only once (Matthew 2:23). In all other cases the word is rendered “of Nazareth” ( Mark 1:24; 10:47; 14:67, etc.).

When this Greek designation was at first applied to our Lord, it was meant simply to denote the place of his residence. In course of time the word became a term of reproach. Thus the word “Nazarene” carries with it an allusion to those prophecies which speak of Christ as “despised of men” (Isaiah 53:3). Some, however, think that in this name there is an allusion to the Hebrew netser, which signifies a branch or sprout. It is so applied to the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1), i.e., he whom the prophets called the Netse, the “Branch.”

The followers of Christ were called “the sect of Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). All over Israel and Syria this name is still given to Christians. (See NAZARETH.)