ReformedChristian
Puritan Board Freshman
It is often said by many that Jesus could not be the Messiah because Matthew 2:23 says he will be called a Nazarene and nowhere in scripture is he called that. However is it more likely this is in reference to a title rather then he will be from a certain location? let's examine the scriptures to see if this is true.
[[Matthew 2:23]]
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.”
Now here we see in the text it says he dwelt in the city of Nazareth and was called a Nazarene, but what a minute was not Jesus born in Bethlehem?
Yes Jesus was born in Bethlehem, however he grew up in Nazareth as a child later on in his life. Now how does this relate to the prophecy of Matthew? well let us look further and turn to Isaiah 11:1, we read:
[[Isaiah 11:1]]
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”
Here we see clearly that a a rod or (authority) will come out of the stem of Jesse and a branch will grow from it. Let's look at what the word Branch means:
netser nay'-tser from 5341 in the sense of greenness as a striking color; a shoot; figuratively, a descendant:--branch.
natsar naw-tsar' a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):-- besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
Here we see that Netser stems from the Hebrew word Natsar looking at the context we see it means one who is guarded, hidden or in other words set apart.
Do we find anywhere else in the OT where this concept of being set apart is found? yes lets look at Ezra 9:10-12:
[[Ezra 9:10-12]]
Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time.
So when we look at the broader context we see that this prophecy is in reference to Christ being set apart for a particular purpose, not only that remember Nazareth was considered in Jesus day was a poor city. So not only is this in reference to him being set apart but also in reference to his humble and lowly estate in which he would grow until he would begin his ministry.
[[Matthew 2:23]]
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.”
Now here we see in the text it says he dwelt in the city of Nazareth and was called a Nazarene, but what a minute was not Jesus born in Bethlehem?
Yes Jesus was born in Bethlehem, however he grew up in Nazareth as a child later on in his life. Now how does this relate to the prophecy of Matthew? well let us look further and turn to Isaiah 11:1, we read:
[[Isaiah 11:1]]
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”
Here we see clearly that a a rod or (authority) will come out of the stem of Jesse and a branch will grow from it. Let's look at what the word Branch means:
netser nay'-tser from 5341 in the sense of greenness as a striking color; a shoot; figuratively, a descendant:--branch.
natsar naw-tsar' a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):-- besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
Here we see that Netser stems from the Hebrew word Natsar looking at the context we see it means one who is guarded, hidden or in other words set apart.
Do we find anywhere else in the OT where this concept of being set apart is found? yes lets look at Ezra 9:10-12:
[[Ezra 9:10-12]]
Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time.
So when we look at the broader context we see that this prophecy is in reference to Christ being set apart for a particular purpose, not only that remember Nazareth was considered in Jesus day was a poor city. So not only is this in reference to him being set apart but also in reference to his humble and lowly estate in which he would grow until he would begin his ministry.
