The Small City of Nazareth

Nazareth is a city in the northern part of modern-day Israel, located in the historical region of Galilee. The name Nazareth comes from the Hebrew word “Netzer,” which means “branch” or “shoot.” The Book of Isaiah used the term “branch” to describe a descendant of the house of David. In ancient times, many different branches of the Davidic family lived in this area, which may be the origin of the name.

Nazareth was an insignificant little town, unmentioned in the Old Testament or any other historical texts from the Middle East. It was even considered disreputable in ancient Judea, as evidenced by Nathanael’s question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). The people there lived a very hard life, existing on a self-sufficient basis. They raised livestock, fished, and farmed the land just to provide for their families and pay taxes. From modern archaeological findings, it appears that the village had no fortifications, no paved streets, or any significant buildings. The houses were not decorated with luxuries like marble, mosaics, or frescoes, and there were no imported goods in any household. The two first-century houses that have been excavated seem to be simple, single-story dwellings with two rooms, a thatched roof, and a small courtyard. Based on Jewish burial customs and fragments of limestone vessels that have been unearthed, the residents were Jews, not Gentiles.

The Gospels describe how Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, lived in Nazareth. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary there to tell her that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Savior. Jesus grew up in Nazareth. This small city rose to prominence because of Jesus and has become a holy site for many Christians. Nazareth today has a population of 45,000, and with its developed transportation, it is a major commercial center in the Galilee region. The residents are predominantly Arab, with most being Muslim, though there are also many Arab Christians. It is the largest Arab city in Israel.