Matthew 2:23 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthew 2:23
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Francesco Conti's Return to Nazareth (1735).
Book	Gospel of Matthew
Christian Bible part	New Testament

Matthew 2:23 is the very last verse of the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. This important chapter is found in the New Testament part of the Bible. This verse tells us that young Jesus and his family, often called the Holy Family, moved to Nazareth. They had just returned from Egypt. This verse finishes the story of Jesus' early childhood in Matthew's Gospel.

Matthew 2:23 also says that Jesus living in Nazareth made an old prophecy come true. The verse quotes, "He will be called a Nazarene." However, this exact quote is not found in the Old Testament or other ancient writings. This has made the verse very interesting to study. Many ideas have been suggested to explain this mysterious quote.

What Matthew 2:23 Says

This verse describes a key moment in the life of Jesus. It explains where his family decided to live after a big journey. After escaping to Egypt to avoid King Herod, Jesus' family returned to their home country. They chose to settle in a town called Nazareth.

The Journey to Nazareth

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Joseph, Jesus' stepfather, was warned in a dream. He was told it was safe to return from Egypt. However, he heard that Herod's son, Archelaus, was ruling in Judea. This made Joseph afraid to go back to Bethlehem. So, he was warned in another dream to go to the region of Galilee instead.

Settling in Nazareth

Joseph then took Mary and Jesus to Galilee. They went to live in a town called Nazareth. This decision was very important for Jesus' early life. It is where he grew up and spent his childhood years.

The Nazarene Prophecy

One of the most talked-about parts of Matthew 2:23 is the mention of a prophecy. The verse says that Jesus living in Nazareth fulfilled what the prophets had said: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Why This Prophecy is Special

Many scholars have looked for this exact quote in the Old Testament. They have not found it. This makes Matthew's statement quite unique. It suggests that Matthew might be referring to something more general. He might be pointing to several prophecies or ideas.

Possible Meanings of "Nazarene"

There are different ideas about what "Nazarene" might mean here.

• A Place Name: It could simply mean someone from Nazareth.
• A Special Group: Some think it refers to a group of people called "Nazirites." These were people who took special vows to God. However, Jesus was not a Nazirite in the traditional sense.
• A Play on Words: The word "Nazarene" sounds similar to a Hebrew word meaning "branch" or "shoot." This word is used in some Old Testament prophecies to describe the Messiah. For example, Isaiah 11:1 talks about a "shoot" coming from the root of Jesse. This could be what Matthew is hinting at.
• A Term of Disrespect: Nazareth was a small, unimportant town. Being called a "Nazarene" might have been seen as an insult by some people. This could connect to prophecies about the Messiah being rejected or looked down upon.

Matthew often shows how Jesus' life connects to older prophecies. Even if the exact quote is not found, the idea of Jesus being from Nazareth and fulfilling God's plan is clear.