Nazareth, Israel (Overview)
City:
Nazareth
State, Province, Region, or District:
Northern District, Galilee Region
Country:
Israel
Overview
Nazareth in Galilee is noted as the town where the Angel Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Nazareth also became the hometown of Jesus when Mary and Joseph returned from fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter of the babies (Matthew 2:13-23). Jesus spent His boyhood years in Nazareth learning the trade of a carpenter from His earthly father, Joseph (Luke 2:51-52) before beginning His ministry when He was about 30 (Mark 1). After moving His home to Capernaum, Jesus returned to teach in the synagogue of Nazareth twice more, but was rejected both times (Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30). On one occasion the townspeople were so outraged at Jesus that they tried to throw Him off a cliff to His death.
Alternate Names
Hebrew - Natzeret (נָצְרַת); Arabic - an-Nāṣira (الناصرة); Greek - Nazaréth, Nazarét, and Nazará; Latin - Nazarenus
Geography & Location
Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel in the Lower Galilee area, north of the Jezreel Valley.
Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information
Very little is known about Nazareth from the ancient sources. Outside of the New Testament, Nazareth is never mentioned until the Byzantine period (4th c. AD). Archaeological excavations have confirmed that the city was only a small agricultural village during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Architecture
The architecture of Nazareth features an array of styles, from the simple, first-century village dwellings of Jesus's time to modern and historic religious sites built over centuries. The city showcases a fusion of ancient foundations, Romanesque Revival, Brutalism, and local building traditions.
Biblical & Historical References
Nazareth was the home of Joseph and Mary and the place where the angel Gabriel was sent to announce to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Christ the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38).
Spiritual Lessons and Application
Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament and has the reputation of being an insignificant backwater, epitomized by Nathanael’s retort when told that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
Etymology
Consensus: נָצַר (watch/guard) is the original toponym; נֵצֶר (branch) became a theological pun in the Gospels.
Site Details
A general view of the city (from Mount Precipice) is shown in the following photo. In the center (with a black tower) is the Church of the Annunciation.
Places of Interest
Church of the Annunciation (also known as the Basilica of the Annunciation)