Nazareth

Nazareth lies in the hills of lower Galilee, above the plain of Jezreel. Luke calls it “a city of Galilee” and places there the angel’s message to Mary (Luke 1:26–27). In Luke it is the home of Mary and Joseph before the birth of Jesus and the place to which they return (Luke 2:4, 39); in Matthew the family settles there after coming back from Egypt (Matthew 2:22–23). Jesus grew up in the town (Luke 2:51–52), came from it to be baptised by John (Mark 1:9), and was known by its name (Mark 1:24) (John 1:45). John’s Gospel preserves a slighting remark: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

Luke tells of a visit to its synagogue that ended with the congregation trying to throw Jesus from the brow of the hill on which the town was built (Luke 4:16–30). Mark says that his own townspeople took offence at him and that he could do no mighty work there (Mark 6:1–6). The modern city stands on the ancient site.