Nestled into the hills of Lower Galilee, the historic city of Nazareth today is the largest Arab city in Israel. Though not mentioned in the Old Testament, New Testament Nazareth is connected with the boyhood home of Jesus. Nazareth (Arabic an-Nasira, Hebrew Nazerat) draws tourists from the Christian faith wanting to connect with the heritage of their Lord.
Today, Nazareth is a tourist city. Its chief attractions are its many churches.
The Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation is probably the best known. According to tradition, it is on the site where Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-31) to announce the coming birth of Jesus. This church building is the largest Christian house of worship in the Middle East. Other important churches are Gabriel’s Church, believed by Greeks to be the site of the Annunciation; the Synagogue Church located in the traditional site of the synagogue where Jesus preached; the Church of Joseph supposedly on the site of Joseph’s carpentry shop; and the Mensa Christi Church where Jesus is said to have dined with His disciples after the resurrection.
The population of Nazareth today is about 73,000.
| Scriptures |
There are 27 verses which use the word Nazareth in five different books of the New Testament. Technically the word Nazareth is used 12 times. The word “Nazarene” is used 19 times. The village is not specifically mentioned in the Old Testament, although Isaiah alludes to its future existence.
Matthew 2:23 NIV
Matthew 4:13 NIV
Matthew 21:11 NIV
Matthew 26:71 NIV
Mark 1:9
Mark 1:24
Mark 10:47
Luke 1:26
Luke 2:4
Luke 2:39
Luke 2:51
Luke 4:16
Luke 4:34
Luke 18:37
Luke 24:19
John 1:45-46
John 18:5, 7
John 19:19
Acts 2:22
Acts 3:6
Acts 4:10
Acts 6:14
Acts 10:38
Acts 22:8
Acts 26:9
| Focus Scripture |
| So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David (Luke 2:4 NIV). |
| The Meaning of Nazareth |
| Let’s Learn About Nazareth |
Depending upon your interest and time, here are four websites with information and pictures about Nazareth. Enjoy learning more about Nazareth today.
| If You Only Have Time to Look Up One Site: |
Lesson Handout
Other References
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Nazareth
- Many archaeologists believe that in the time of Jesus the population of Nazareth was less than 200.
- Isaiah prophesied the Messiah would come from Nazareth about 600 years before the village existed.
- Most of the Nazarenes were royalty and related.
- The village of Nazareth was built on a hill. Fellow townsmen attempted to throw Jesus off this hill (Luke 4:29).
- Nazareth was a farming village. As a carpenter, Joseph would have been one of the more elite and respected.
Weather
Map
This Week’s Trivia
Results
#1. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" would make a great children's book. It actually was inspired by what?
#2. "The Wish That I Wish Tonight," from "Christmas in Connecticut," was immediately coopted for what cartoon character?
#3. Charles Ruggles was a character actor who was known for playing Mrs. Drysdale's father on television's The Beverly Hillbillies and in this seldom-mentioned holiday movie.
#4. What was the original title of "Silver Bells?"
#5. "Ernest Saves Christmas" is a Jim Varney film in which a bumper sticker falls out of his glove box that expresses his feelings about the holiday. What does the bumper sticker say?
#6. Cary Grant explains the origin of a psalm in what movie?
#7. This 1983 Christmas classic gets a sequel made 39 years later.
#8. Here's another "Christmas in Connecticut" question. Sydney Greenstreet plays publisher Alexander Yardley, and Uncle Felix instantly dislikes him. Felix mutters something under his breath, which turns out to be Greenstreet's code name in "The Maltese Falcon." What was it?
#9. In "Christmas with the Kranks," what Saturday Night Live alumnus plays the "unelected street boss" of the neighborhood?
#10. The maid in "The Bishop's Wife" was played by what Universal horror actress?
| Let’s Apply a Truth |
The hometown for Mary, Joseph & Jesus was Nazareth, a small village in Galilee. Thinking about hometowns leads us to a couple of observations.
Points to Consider