[Joseph, Mary and Jesus] came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:23)

In studying God through His names and epithets, when looked at closely we discover nuances like the subtle hues of the rainbow. On the surface, calling Jesus a Nazarene is about as significant as saying I am a Rochesterian because I live in Rochester. But there is more to the story. First, we must correct a common misunderstanding: Jesus was not a “Nazarite,” that is, an OT individual who took the Nazarite vow involving certain asceticisms. A “Nazarene” (different word) is a person who hails from the village of Nazareth.

Second, there is no prophecy recorded in the OT that specifically says Jesus would be called a Nazarene, yet on the surface that is what Matthew seems to be saying. This has created a wide variety of explanations through the years. An in-depth study of the alternatives is beyond the scope of this essay, but suffice it to say that Matthew is probably alluding to an OT prediction in a general way (we might even say an applicational sort of way). Jesus as the Messiah came from an obscure, humble origin, which was predicted in the OT. Remember Nathanael’s response to Philip telling him about Jesus: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Such identification of Jesus’ origin would not bode well with those who had expected a more lofty start for the One who would deliver Israel from its Roman oppressors. To call Jesus a Nazarene would be a slight, a sneer.

This reaction of insinuation fits well with the suffering servant passage of Isaiah in particular: “He was despised … and we did not esteem Him.” First-century readers would understand Matthew to be saying that Jesus had an ignoble beginning, not being attractive in the usual way that humans are impressed with people—just as the OT prophets foresaw.

Jesus didn’t have a privileged start, riding on the coattails of an illustrious father, from a well-to-do city, with the finest human pedigree. Rather, He “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself …” (Phil 2:7–8). He was not known as a Bethlehemite, which would have looked much better on His resume, being from the city of great King David, the greatest, most iconic king in Israel’s history. Jesus’ earthly beginning was inauspicious, from the backwoods (so to speak) village of Nazareth.

Lord, I now understand that You can do great things through me even though I do not have an advantageous or privileged upbringing.