Nazarene

From BibleWiki

This epithet (Gr. Nazaraios) is applied to Jesus only once (Mt 2:23). In all other cases the word is rendered "of Nazareth" (Mk 1:24; Mk 10:47; Mk 14:67, etc.). When this Greek designation was at first applied to Jesus, 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.

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