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