Nazarene (sect)

Nazarene is the title by which Jesus is most commonly associated. He is called the Nazarene in all four gospels. English Bibles generally translate the Greek Iesou Nazarene as "Jesus of Nazareth", but this not wholly accurate. Jesus the Nazarene would be at least as correct a translation

It is not even clear that Nazareth actually existed at the time. It is unmentioned in contemporary history, and if it existed it was a very small village. Additionally, after Jesus' death his followers were most commonly known as the Nazarene. In Acts Paul is tried in Caesarea and Tertullus says :

"We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is the ring leader of the Nazarene sect."(Acts 24:5)

If Nazarene is not "man from Nazareth" what does it mean? There are a number of theories. A popular definition is that it comes from the word netzer meaning branch or off-shoot. Which could mean that Jesus was a "descendent of David" or Jesus was an offshoot from Judaism. A second interpretation is that it comes from the word nosri which means "one who keeps (guard over)" or "one who observes". A third interpretation is that it comes from the word nazir which refers to a man who is consecrated and bound by a vow to God.

external links

• [were called Nazarenes]
  • Detailed examination of the Nazarene question