The existence of Nazareth during the time of Jesus is an important question for understanding the historical accuracy of the Bible. The Gospels clearly state that Jesus grew up in Nazareth, but some skeptics have questioned whether Nazareth even existed during the 1st century AD. Examining the evidence, both biblical and extra-biblical, can shed light on this issue.
Biblical References to Nazareth
The New Testament Gospels contain numerous references to Nazareth as the hometown of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew indicates that Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth prior to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:23). After returning from Egypt, Joseph is told by an angel to go back to “the land of Israel” and proceeds to settle specifically in the town of Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). Matthew refers to Nazareth as Jesus’ hometown on multiple occasions (Matthew 21:11, 26:71). The Gospel of Luke states that Gabriel was sent to Mary who lived in “a town in Galilee called Nazareth” (Luke 1:26). After describing Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, Luke records that Joseph and Mary returned to “their own town of Nazareth” after presenting Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:39). Nazareth is also referenced in Mark 1:9, Luke 4:16, and John 1:45-46.
Based on the Gospel accounts, Nazareth was clearly the place where Joseph and Mary lived before Jesus’ birth. It was known as Jesus’ earthly hometown throughout His life and ministry. The biblical references are consistent in locating Nazareth as a real town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Extra-Biblical References to Nazareth
In addition to the Gospel accounts, there are a few ancient extra-biblical sources that mention Nazareth. Around 70 AD, the Jewish historian Josephus referred to a town called Nazareth located in Galilee (Antiquities of the Jews 14.15). The Gospel of Philip, an apocryphal text from the 3rd century AD, also mentions Nazareth. Some scholars believe the Nazarene sect, a 1st century Jewish Christian group mentioned by Epiphanius, was named after Nazareth as the hometown of their founder.
Archaeological excavations in Nazareth also support the historicity of the town. Pottery remains, agricultural terraces, and tombs confirm the existence of a small Jewish village in the correct location during the early Roman period. An ancient house excavated beneath the Church of the Annunciation is dated to the 1st century AD.
Therefore, there is compelling extra-biblical evidence corroborating the Gospel accounts regarding Nazareth as a place name and village in 1st century Galilee. Both ancient texts and archaeology confirm Nazareth was an actual town, not a fictitious invention.
Jesus as the Nazarene
The Bible frequently refers to Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth” or “Jesus the Nazarene” (Mark 1:24, 10:47; Luke 24:19). This epithet is used in all four Gospels and Acts to describe Jesus. The biblical references connect Jesus to the town of Nazareth as His earthly residence and place of origin.
Several theories have been proposed to suggest “Nazarene” does not refer to Nazareth:
- It refers to being a “branch”, alluding to prophecies of the Messiah such as Isaiah 11:1
- It refers to being a “keeper” or “observer”, derived from the Hebrew word nazar
- It refers to the Nazarene sect
However, these alternatives are problematic. The context of “Jesus of Nazareth” in the Gospels and Acts clearly implies a geographical location, not an abstraction. Identifying Jesus by His earthly hometown was standard Jewish practice, similar to “Jesus of Bethlehem” or “Joseph of Arimathea”. There is no evidence Jesus was ever associated with the Nazarene sect which did not emerge until later. Therefore, the best explanation is that “Nazarene” referred to the town of Nazareth.
Objections to Nazareth’s Existence
Despite the biblical and extra-biblical sources, some modern critics have raised objections to Nazareth’s existence during Jesus’ time, including:
- Nazareth is not mentioned in ancient sources outside the Bible until the 4th century AD
- No literary sources confirm Nazareth’s existence until after the Gospels were written
- The early Jewish scholar Josephus does not name Nazareth among the towns of Galilee
In response, it should be noted that Nazareth was no more than a modest village during the 1st century. As such, it is unsurprising that medieval writers do not refer to it. Nevertheless, the extra-biblical evidence mentioned earlier confirms Nazareth prior to the 4th century AD.
While Josephus does not directly name Nazareth, this is also unremarkable since he does not comprehensively name all Galilean villages. Small villages were frequently omitted from ancient geographical surveys. Josephus’ reference to a “Nazareth” in the same region implies its existence.
It is also argued that the absence of 1st century AD literary sources for Nazareth outside the Bible suggests a late invention. However, literary sources alone are insufficient to confirm the existence of rural villages and towns. Archaeology has established Nazareth’s existence without the need for extra-biblical literature.
Does Nazareth’s Existence Affect Jesus’ Historicity?
Some skeptics propose that Nazareth did not exist during Jesus’ time and the Gospel writers invented an imaginary hometown for him. However, there are good reasons to reject this view:
- No early critics of Christianity raised doubts about Nazareth, implying its existence was undisputed
- The Gospel writers lacked a motive to invent a new town which would have been easily exposed as fiction
- Alleging invented hometowns would undermine the Gospels’ status as reliable accounts
- The archaeology of Nazareth confirms it was occupied during the 1st century AD
Additionally, the existence or non-existence of Nazareth has no direct bearing on the historicity of Jesus. Writers would not have fabricated a hometown for the purpose of adding credibility to Jesus’ existence. The validity of Gospel accounts centers on issues like the resurrection, not minor geographical details.
In conclusion, the lack of extra-biblical literature about Nazareth is insufficient to deny its historical reality. Nazareth’s existence is supported by biblical references, archaeology, and geography matching the Gospel descriptions. The evidence substantiates Nazareth as the hometown of Jesus throughout His life.
Jesus’ Upbringing and Ministry in Nazareth
According to the Gospels, Jesus was raised from childhood in Nazareth until the beginning of His public ministry around age 30. Several passages highlight key events in Nazareth during His upbringing:
- After returning from Egypt as a young child, Jesus “went and lived in a town called Nazareth” (Matthew 2:23). This implies he was raised there.
- When Jesus began preaching in Galilee, the people were astonished and said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22). This suggests Jesus was known from His youth in Nazareth.
- When Jesus first preached in the Nazareth synagogue, the people rejected him saying, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55). This indicates Jesus and His earthly father Joseph were known as residents of Nazareth.
The Gospels describe repeated visits Jesus made back to Nazareth throughout His ministry. After preaching in Capernaum, Jesus “went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up” (Luke 4:16). On another occasion, He commissioned His disciples and “went to teach in their synagogues in Nazareth” (Matthew 13:54). When speaking to Nathanael, Jesus referred to Nazareth as “where he lived” (John 1:46).
Based on the Gospel accounts, Jesus lived almost His entire life in the town of Nazareth until embarking on His public ministry. The town was so closely associated with Him that Nazareth became a geographical epithet referring to Jesus.
Implications of Nazareth in Jesus’ Life
The fact that Jesus grew up in the rural Galilean village of Nazareth has several important implications:
- It affirms the humble, ordinary beginnings of Jesus’ earthly life as a “man of no reputation” (Philippians 2:7).
- It shows that Jesus did not originate from an important center of Jewish culture and religion, unlike Jerusalem or Bethlehem. Rather, God chose a humble backdrop for the birth of His Son.
- Nazareth’s poverty and insignificance (John 1:46) stand in ironic contrast to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and Savior of mankind.
- Jesus’ upbringing in Nazareth fulfills the Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would be “from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1), i.e. descend from humble origins.
Most importantly, Jesus being “Jesus of Nazareth” anchors His life in a specific place and historical time. The incarnation is thus confirmed as an actual event in human history traced to a small village in Galilee. Nazareth’s existence affirms the truth that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
References to Nazareth in Prophecy
In addition to being Jesus’ childhood hometown, Nazareth has prophetic significance in the Old Testament. Two prophecies indirectly allude to the Messiah’s connection to Nazareth:
- Netzer – Matthew 2:23 quotes the prophets as predicting the Messiah “will be called a Nazarene.” Some scholars link this to Isaiah 11:1 referring to the “Branch” (netzer in Hebrew) springing up from Jesse.
- Despised Place – Isaiah 53:3 describes the suffering servant growing up “like a root out of dry ground.” Some interpret this dry ground as a despised place like Nazareth.
Additionally, the town’s insignificance contrasts with Jesus’ true identity, fulfilling the prophetic theme of God using the lowly and despised things of the world (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). While connections to specific prophecies are debated, Nazareth as the humble hometown of the Messiah is consistent with biblical prophecy.
Status of Nazareth after Jesus’ Ministry
There are some later references to Nazareth in Christian literature after the time of Christ. Some key examples include:
- The Book of Acts references “Jesus the Nazarene” twice, indicating this continued to be a descriptor for Jesus following His ministry (Acts 2:22, 3:6).
- Around 130 AD, early church father Justin Martyr referred to Nazareth as the birthplace of Jesus.
- Origen, another prominent early church writer, mentions Nazareth multiple times, including calling it “a small village of Judea.”
- Eusebius of Caesarea, in his 4th century work Church History, locates Nazareth in Galilee and identifies it as the birthplace of Christ.
Following Jesus’ life, Nazareth evidently continued to exist as a town. Early Christians remembered it specifically as the place where Jesus was raised. Even as a relatively obscure village, Nazareth became an important location in the broader Christian tradition due to its relationship to Christ.
Conclusion
In summary, Nazareth was a real town in Galilee during the life of Jesus. The Gospels provide abundant testimony that Jesus grew up in Nazareth and was known as “Jesus of Nazareth.” Extra-biblical sources confirm Nazareth’s existence by the 1st century AD. Archaeology also substantiates that Nazareth was occupied at the time of Christ. While Scripture does not directly quote prophecies mentioning Nazareth, the town’s insignificance spiritually foreshadows the humble human origins of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.