Matthew 1:16-23

When the wise men didn’t return, Herod became angry, being deceived by the wise men. He ordered all children ages two and under, living in Bethlehem and the surrounding region, were to be killed. Matthew tells us Herod determined the age “according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men” (Matthew 2:16).

Matthew explains this fulfilled a prophecy by Jeremiah. “Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah[1], lamentation, and bitter weeping; [Rachel] weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not” (Jeremiah 31:15).

Joseph had been commanded to stay in Egypt until the death of Herod (see Matthew 2:12). After his death, Joseph received a vision telling him Herod was dead and he was to return to his home.[2]

When Joseph returned to the land of Israel, he received another vision, telling him Herod’s son, Archelaus, now ruled Judea. He took his family to Nazareth. Matthew tells us this was a fulfillment of the prophets, that Christ would be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23).[3]

“It is apparent from Matthew 2:22 that Joseph and Mary had planned to return to Judea either to live or to visit the temple or family members, but as they approached that province they were directed otherwise. They probably also learned that Judea was in turmoil. Thousands of angry Israelites, gathered on the temple mount, had rebelled against Herod’s son Archelaus, his successor, seeking relief from high taxes and unemployment. They demanded freedom for political prisoners and sought to appoint their own high priest to preside over the temple. Archelaus sent squads of soldiers against them, and 3,000 Jews were killed in the ensuing battle.

“Such was the atmosphere in Judea when Joseph and Mary passed by. Warned in a dream, they went instead to Galilee to settle in their former hometown, Nazareth, ‘that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene’ (Matt. 2:23).”[4]

“Nazareth was the abode of Jesus until He was about thirty years of age; and, in accordance with the custom of designating individuals by the names of their home towns as additions to their personal names, our Lord came to be generally known as Jesus of Nazareth. He is also referred to as a Nazarene, or a native of Nazareth, and this fact is cited by Matthew as a fulfillment of earlier prediction, though our current compilation of scriptures constituting the Old Testament contains no record of such prophecy. It is practically certain that this prediction was contained in some one of the many scriptures extant in earlier days but since lost.”[5]

“According to the Gospel of John, some thought nothing good could come from Nazareth. (John 1:46.) The term ‘Nazarene,’ then, was a contemptuous one in early Christianity.

“The root meaning of the word Nazarene helps explain why it was degrading. The Hebrew spelling of Nazarene has the same root letters as the Hebrew word nezer, which means twig, sprout, shoot, sprig, or branch. Who would want to be called a twig?

“Matthew changed it to a title of honor when he referred to the Messianic prophecy (Isa. 11:1), telling of a branch (nezer) that would grow out of the roots of Jesse. (See Joseph Smith 2: 40; D&C 113.)

“Early Christians were apparently called Nazarenes, since Paul was accused of being a leader of this sect. (See Acts 24:5.) Early historians refer to a Christian group as Nazarenes, Christian Jews who neither would nor could give up their Jewish mode of life. Paul taught that the Mosaic Law was not binding upon gentiles or Jews, having been fulfilled by Christ. Later Nazarenes rejected Paul because of this, even though he had been known as a Nazarene during his lifetime. Later Nazarenes were absorbed within Judaism and Christianity by the end of the fifth century. However, the term Nozri (Nazarene) remains as the Hebrew word for Christian.”[6]

---

[1] A town, about the site of which there has been much dispute, in Benjamin, on the border of Ephraim; the home of Samuel. Being on the frontier and on the road to Jerusalem, it was the scene of several conflicts between Israel and Judah. At the time of the captivity the exiles were collected here before removal to Babylon. (Bible Dictionary)

[2] But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a vision to Joseph in Egypt (JST Matthew 3:19).

[3] 24 And it came to pass that Jesus grew up with his brethren, and waxed strong, and waited upon the Lord for the time of his ministry to come.

25 And he served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him.

26 And after many years, the hour of his ministry drew nigh (JST Matthew 3:24-26).

[4] Birth of the Messiah, Paul Thomas Smith, Maxwell Institute.

[5] Jesus the Christ, Chapter 8, Elder James E. Talmage.

[6] Major Jewish Groups in the New Testament, Victor L. Ludlow, Maxwell Institute website.