What Is Nazareth?
What Is Nazareth? Nazareth was the Galilean village where Jesus grew up — so obscure that Nathanael once asked, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?''
Key verse: Matthew 2:23 (KJV)
Nazareth was the Galilean village where Jesus grew up — so obscure that Nathanael once asked, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?''
Nazareth was the Galilean village where Jesus grew up — so obscure that Nathanael once asked, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?''
"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." — Matthew 2:23 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
Nazareth was a small, unremarkable village in lower Galilee, nestled in the hills about fifteen miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It had no mention in the Old Testament, no royal history, and no strategic importance. Yet God chose it as the childhood home of His Son. After the holy family's return from Egypt, 'he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.' Jesus spent roughly thirty years there as a carpenter's son, living an ordinary life before beginning His public ministry. The town's obscurity became part of Jesus' identity — He was 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Nathanael's skeptical question ('Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?') was answered definitively: the very best thing came from there.
Key Scripture References
"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."
"And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."
"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is the small Judean town where Jesus Christ was born, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from David's city.
What Is the Significance of the Mount of Olives?
The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of Jerusalem deeply tied to Jesus' final week, His ascension, and His promised return.
What Is Gethsemane?
Gethsemane is the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony the night before His crucifixion and was betrayed by Judas.
What Is the Jordan River?
The Jordan River is the river in which Jesus was baptized, where Israel crossed into the Promised Land, and where Elisha performed miracles.
What Is the Sea of Galilee?
The Sea of Galilee is the freshwater lake in northern Israel where Jesus performed many miracles and called His first disciples.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Nazareth in the Bible
The hometown of Jesus where He grew up and began His ministry.
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is Nazareth?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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