The Nazarene and the Sect of the Nazarenes

Matthew 2:23
“And He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Acts 24:5
“We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.”

The name “Nazarene” was a term of contempt used by many of the Jews to refer to our Lord and His disciples. Our Savior, though actually born in Bethlehem, was commonly known as Jesus of Nazareth because Nazareth was the place where He was brought up. This Nazareth, however, was a place very much despised. It was a small country town, rough and rustic, located a few days’ distance from Jerusalem. In the eyes of the Jewish people, Jerusalem was the place of knowledge and culture, and the people of Nazareth were seen as boorish, unrefined, and ignorant. In every country, there tends to be a town that becomes the subject of ridicule and mockery, and Nazareth was that town in ancient Israel.

For example, in England, there are places that are commonly the butt of jokes. One such place is Coggeshall in Essex, where I happened to be born. The name “Coggeshall” became synonymous with foolishness and blunders. Similarly, Nazareth, in the minds of the Jews, became a symbol of backwoods ignorance. The name “Nazareth” itself can be translated to mean “sprouts” or “greens,” and it was often used by the Jews as a joke to mock the people who lived there. Some suggest that the name was used to symbolize the simple and unrefined nature of its inhabitants.

Even Nathanael, one of Jesus’ disciples, said, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). This reflects the common attitude of the time—that nothing good or worthy could come from such a lowly, insignificant town. The name “Nazarene” was, and still is, associated with mockery and disdain. It was a name used by the apostate emperor Julian, who referred to our Lord as the “Galilean” with contempt, and when he died, he cried, “O Galilean, You have vanquished me!” Even to this day, when Jews are angered, they call Jesus “the Nazarene.”

However, there is a distinction between “Nazarene” and “Nazarite.” Nazarene is a name of contempt, while Nazarite was a title of honor. When the scriptures say that Jesus would be called a Nazarene, they are not referring to the honor of the Nazarite vow but to the scorn and ridicule associated with the town of Nazareth. A traveler through Palestine once noted that whenever they encountered a village that was dirty, poor, and inhabited by professed Christians, the Muslim guide would disdainfully refer to them as “Netza” or “Nazarenes.” This contempt has lasted for centuries, and to this day, Christians are still called “Nazarenes” by Muslims as a term of derision.

Despite this, our Lord was never ashamed of this title. He called Himself “Jesus of Nazareth” even after His resurrection. He told Paul, when He struck him down on the road to Damascus, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you persecute.” His disciples, too, were not ashamed to call Him by this name. When two of them walked to Emmaus and met the risen Lord, they spoke of Him as “Jesus of Nazareth.” Demons, too, trembled at His name, crying out, “What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mark 1:24). Even Pilate had “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” written on the Cross in derision, yet it was through this very title that our Savior triumphed.

I. The Despised Nazarene

The name “Nazarene” reflects the fact that Jesus was despised in every aspect of His life. His parentage, His state, His apparel, His language, and His habits all bore no trace of grandeur, dignity, or pride. He did not come in royal splendor; He came meek and lowly, riding on a colt, the foal of an ass (Matthew 21:5). His coming was not one of pomp and ceremony. He could have been made king by force, but He withdrew from such worldly honor. He did not strive for attention, nor did He raise His voice in the streets. He was not a popularity-seeker or a flatterer of the powerful. Though He had the power to defeat His enemies, He chose not to break the bruised reeds or quench the smoking flax (Matthew 12:20).

In appearance, Jesus did not have the earthly beauty that would attract people in the way that worldly kings and rulers might. He was a man of humble birth and lived a life of simplicity. His dress was the common clothing of the time, not distinguished by wealth or position. He was not concerned with outward appearances or with gaining worldly honor. Even His companions, His disciples, were not the educated elite but humble fishermen. These were the men He chose to follow Him, and in doing so, He rejected the learned and the powerful of society.

In His teachings, too, He challenged the norms of the day. He taught that all people, regardless of their social status, were equally in need of salvation. His message was radical—He said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). He preached the necessity of spiritual transformation, and this message was not well received by the educated and powerful who believed they were already righteous. His teachings, such as “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53), were too hard for many to accept, and they turned away from Him.

Moreover, Jesus did not hesitate to challenge the established religious authorities. He called the Pharisees hypocrites and condemned their external religiosity, saying, “You strain at a gnat and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24). He revealed that true purity came from within, not from outward rituals. Those who were proud of their religious positions and their status in society could not bear such criticism, and they despised Him even more for it.

II. The Sect of the Nazarenes

Jesus’ followers, too, were despised. The Jews referred to them as “the sect of the Nazarenes,” and as the early church grew, Christians were often called by this term, a label that carried with it the scorn of the world. If you follow Christ fully, you will also be marked. The world will see your difference and call you odd, singular, or strange. They may ridicule you for your adherence to biblical principles, for your rejection of worldly pleasures, or for your commitment to a life of holiness.

Christians today continue to face scorn and ridicule. Many are accused of being old-fashioned or backward for holding fast to biblical truths. They are often criticized for believing in doctrines like justification by faith, the necessity of being born again, or the substitutionary atonement of Christ. These doctrines are mocked by the world, just as the world mocked Christ during His earthly ministry.

Christians are also criticized for their lack of conformity to worldly standards. They are told that they are not free because they reject the worldly pleasures that others enjoy. But Christians have true freedom—the freedom to live according to God’s will, to do good, and to serve Him without fear of man. The world may despise Christians for not participating in the same activities or for associating with people of all classes and walks of life. But this is the very essence of the gospel: to love all people, regardless of their status, and to treat them as equals in the sight of God.

III. There Is Nothing Despicable in Christ or His People

Despite the scorn and contempt directed at Jesus and His followers, there is nothing despicable about either Christ or His people. Jesus is the Son of the Highest, “God over all, blessed forever” (Romans 9:5). His condescension in coming to earth was an act of unparalleled love and kindness to fallen humanity. He who was rich became poor for our sake, that we might become rich in Him (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Jesus’ life was the most sublime and beautiful life ever lived. He revealed the most profound wisdom and love in His actions, and even His enemies were struck by the glory of His character. His humble birth, His meekness, His love for the outcasts, and His willingness to suffer for the sake of humanity make Him the greatest of all. There is no shame in being associated with such a Savior, and there is no shame in being a Christian, regardless of how the world may treat you.

Christ’s followers are called to be reflections of His character, to live as He lived, to love as He loved, and to serve as He served. There is nothing to be ashamed of in being a Christian. In fact, it is the greatest honor to be called by His name. If the world mocks you for your faith, rejoice, for you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:14).

Conclusion

Let us not be ashamed to be called Nazarenes, for our Savior is the Nazarene. If the world despises us for following Him, let us be content to bear that scorn for His sake. There is nothing to be ashamed of in being a Christian. Let us boldly declare our faith in Christ, live according to His Word, and proclaim His truth to a world that desperately needs to hear it. May we never be ashamed of the Nazarene, for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

Charles Spurgeon