The term "Nazarean" is closely associated with Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as "Jesus of Nazareth." This designation highlights His upbringing in the town of Nazareth, a small village in the region of Galilee. The term "Nazarean" is derived from the Greek word "Nazarēnos," which means "of Nazareth."

Biblical References:

1. Jesus of Nazareth: The most prominent use of the term is in reference to Jesus Himself. In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently identified as "Jesus of Nazareth" to distinguish Him from others with the same name. For instance, in the Gospel of Matthew, the angel instructs Joseph to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus, and they settle in Nazareth: "So he got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel... And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets, that He would be called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:21, 23).

2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The reference to Jesus as a "Nazarene" is seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, although no specific prophecy explicitly states this. It is generally understood to refer to the Messianic prophecies that speak of the humble and despised origins of the Messiah, as Nazareth was a town of little repute. This is reflected in Nathanael's question, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46).

3. The Early Church: The term "Nazarean" was also used to describe the early followers of Jesus. In the Book of Acts, Paul is accused of being a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5). This indicates that the early Christians were identified with Jesus' association with Nazareth, and the term was used by both followers and opponents of the movement.

4. Cultural and Historical Context: Nazareth was a small and relatively insignificant town during the time of Jesus. Its mention in the Gospels serves to emphasize the humble beginnings of Jesus, contrasting with the expectations of a Messiah who would come from a place of prominence. The association with Nazareth underscores the theme of God's work through the humble and lowly, a recurring motif in the biblical narrative.

5. Symbolism and Significance: The term "Nazarean" carries symbolic weight, representing the fulfillment of God's promises through unexpected means. It highlights the paradox of the Messiah's humble origins and His ultimate exaltation. This is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God choosing the lowly and despised to accomplish His purposes, as seen in passages like 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 : "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

In summary, the term "Nazarean" is deeply rooted in the identity of Jesus Christ and the early Christian movement. It reflects both the historical reality of Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth and the theological significance of His humble origins as part of God's redemptive plan.

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... Do you too, like a Jew or a Nazarean, glory in the obscene distinction of being
circumcised? Do you pride yourself in the observance of the Sabbath? ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

The Phenomena at the Baptism, and their Import.
... The words are still better put together in the Nazarean Gospel of the Hebrews, used
by Jerome: Factum est autem quum ascendisset Dominus de aqua, descendit ...
/.../section 42 the phenomena at.htm

Nazarean (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Nazarean (1 Occurrence). Acts 6:14 for we have heard
him saying, That this Jesus the Nazarean shall overthrow ...
/n/nazarean.htm - 6k

Nazarene (19 Occurrences)

/n/nazarene.htm - 18k

Nazaraeans (1 Occurrence)

/n/nazaraeans.htm - 6k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:14 for we have heard him saying, That this Jesus the Nazarean shall overthrow
this place, and shall change the customs that Moses delivered to us;' (YLT ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

Ebionites
... clear, there were at least two recensions of this gospel, one nearer and the other
farther from the canonical Gospel; the former, the Nazarean, differed only ...
/e/ebionites.htm - 34k

Ebionism
... clear, there were at least two recensions of this gospel, one nearer and the other
farther from the canonical Gospel; the former, the Nazarean, differed only ...
/e/ebionism.htm - 34k

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