NAZARENE

An epithet applied to Christ, and usually translated "of Nazareth," as in Mt 21:11 Ac 2:22 4:10. It was foretold in prophecy, Ps 22:7,8 Isa 53:2, that the Messiah should be despised and rejected of men; and this epithet, which came to be used as a term of reproach, showed the truth of these predictions, Mt 2:23 Ac 24:5. Nazareth was a small town, in a despised part of Palestine. See GALILEE, and NAZARETH.

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Nazarene. Nazarene
This epithet (Gr. Nazaraios) is applied to Christ only once (Matt. 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” (Isa. 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 (Isa. 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 Palestine and Syria this name is still given to Christians. (See NAZARETH.)

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NAZARENE. → See NAZARETH

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Mt 2:23; Ac 24:5 --SEE Jesus of Nazareth, JESUS CHRIST SEE

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nazarene. Nazarene, n. a native of Nazareth, one of a sect of Jews who mingled judaism and christianity

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Naz′a‐rene″ (?), n. [[L. Nazarenus, Gr. �, fr. � Nazareth.]] 1. 1. A native or inhabitant of Nazareth; — a term of contempt applied to Christ and the early Christians.
2. 2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of Judaizing Christians in the first and second centuries, who observed the laws of Moses, and held to certain heresies.