CHRIST THE END-POINT

LECTURE 5
A NAZARENE
NUMBERS 6:1-21

“This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation”
(Num.6:21).

“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” (Mat.2:23).

INTRODUCTION

Bethlehem, Egypt, Israel, Nazareth. It would seem that this little family are at the mercy of events.
However, a closer inspection will reveal God’s directing and overruling hand. His control and
involvement in these events is emphasised by the three dreams which guide Joseph from place to
place (Mat.2:13, 19, 22), the four appearances of an angel with God’s message for Joseph (Mat.1:20;
2:13, 19, 22), and the frequent references to events being the fulfilment of prophecy (Mat.2:15, 17-18,
23). So, these changes of location were not haphazard but divinely ordered. As we have seen and
shall see, the geography lessons were intended to teach deeper spiritual lessons.

Firstly, notice that the wise men come from Mesopotamia or Babylon in the east. Jesus is then taken
to Egypt in the west. The two extremes of the biblical world are thereby embraced, emphasisising the
worldwide nature of the Messiah’s ministry. God’s purpose was the blessing of the whole world.

Secondly, by linking Jesus’ birth with Egypt and Babylon (through the Rachel/Ramah prophecy),
Matthew is linking Jesus with the two pivotal events in Israel’s history, with the Exodus from Egypt
and the Exile in Babylon. In doing this, Matthew presents Jesus as the recapitulation, personification,
or fulfilment of Israel’s history.

PRINCIPLE OF INTERPRETATION

We should interpret Jesus’ life as the recapitulation, personification, completion, and

fulfillment of Old Testament Israel’s history. He is the perfect embodiment of Israel.

Thirdly, there is the spiritual significance of Jesus’ residence in Nazareth and hence his being called
“a Nazarene”. While in Egypt, King Herod died and Joseph was directed by God to move his family in
the general direction of Israel. Then, he was specifically directed to Nazareth in order to live in an
area which was ruled by one of Herod’s more benign and harmless heirs. Matthew concludes the
chapter by claiming that the Messiah’s residence in Nazareth was in order “that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (2:23).

A problem now arises. Nazareth is not even mentioned in the Old Testament, never mind as the
predicted home of the Messiah. This is one of the reasons why the Jews had huge difficulties in
accepting Christ’s Messianic credentials. The solution is to understand that while Matthew is primarily
referring to Nazareth as a geographical location, yet he is seeing in it a secondary spiritual
significance which was predicted not by one prophet in particular, but by the “prophets” in general.

PRINCIPLE OF INTERPRETATION

Fulfillment citations need not refer to one prophet or one prophecy in particular but may
instead be referring to a general theme found throughout the prophets.
In Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament, Christopher Wright accepts that Old Testament
prophets would not have had much, if any, expectation of a link between Nazareth and the Messiah.
For many critics, this is enough to completely undermine the link that Matthew makes. If the prophets
did not anticipate this, they argue, then Matthew was wrong to imply that they did. However, Matthew
is not implying that the prophets made the link, but instead is giving the New Testament reader the
biblical warrant to make this link with the benefit of hindsight. He is permitting, even encouraging, the
New Testament reader to “read the New Testament back into the Old Testament.”

Matthew is “working back from actual events which happened in the early life of Jesus to
certain Hebrew Scriptures in which he now sees a deeper significance than they could
have had before. It is the events, the narratives, which suggest the scriptures, not the
other way around.” (Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament, 58).

PRINCIPLE OF INTERPRETATION

Even if the Old Testament prophets did not understand the full significance of their
words, the New Testament reader may, indeed must, use the New Testament to read
the full significance into their words.

There are two views regarding the spiritual significance of Jesus being a “Nazarene”. Firstly, it is
viewed as a title of dignity. Secondly it is thought to be a title of disgrace. We shall look at both views.
However we shall have a greater focus on the first, Nazarene as a title of dignity, as this is a major
Old Testament concept, in contrast with the relatively weaker linguistic argument behind the view of
“Nazarene” being a title of of disgrace.

Before we go on though, you may want to ponder the question whether it is always necessary to
choose between alternative views. May it be that God has so ordered events that they have a double
message and significance suited to the twofold message He wishes to convey.

I. A TITLE OF DIGNITY

ANTICIPATION

The view of “Nazarene” as a title of dignity is based upon the Nazarite vow described in Numbers 6,
and exemplified in the lives of Samson and Samuel. Numbers, Judges and 1 Samuel were all written
by prophets, men to whom God revealed Himself, and through whom he spoke. Although the
Nazarite vow had nothing to do with Nazareth, there is an obvious similarity in the sounds of the
words which suggested themselves to Matthew as divinely linked. So, though “Nazarene” is a
geographical, social or cultural term, yet in God’s providence it is given a theological meaning. What
then does it mean? Let us look at the institution of the “Nazarite” vow in Numbers 6. Before we do so,
however, let us note that the institution probably existed before Numbers 6. Joseph was known as
“separate/nazarite from his brethren” (Gen.49:26). So Numbers 6 was God regulating an existing
practice.

1. He Separated (v.2)

“Nazarite” is derived from a Hebrew root nāzar meaning “to separate”. It was usually used to describe
those who voluntarily, and usually temporarily, separated themselves from common everyday life and
things, and even from what they were before and after. Sometimes God designated someone a
Nazarite (Jdg.13:5). Sometimes parents would take the vow on behalf of their child (1Sam.1:11).
Sometimes the separation was lifelong (Lk.1:15).

2. He Dedicated (v.2)

The Nazarite was not just an aescetic monk who separated himself from human society. No, it was a
separation with a spiritual purpose – dedication to God. Nazarities dedicated themselves to God for a
stated period. They spent much of their time studying and teaching the law, and also in worshipping
God. These separated ones were living sermons giving a living exhibition the holy surrender to God
which was supposed to characterise the covenant people as a whole.

3. He Vowed (v.2)

Nazarites separated and dedicated themselves by taking a solemn vow of consecration. They were
promising to exceed the common level of spirituality. The presence of such committed Israelites was
a sign of God’s blessing upon the nation (Amos 2:11). And, as such, they were respected examples
of piety (Lam. 4:7).

4. He Abstained (v.3-4)

Alcohol was associated with human fellowship and earthly pleasure. It tended to master the drinker
and bring a person under its control. Abstinence from alcohol then was not some legalistic
prohibition. It was to promote fellowship with God, spiritual pleasure, and spiritual mastery of the
appetites and tastes.

5. He Submitted (v.5)

The Nazarite was not permitted to cut or shave his hair. What did this signify? One suggestion is that
as long hair on a man was a shame (1 Cor.11:14), it was to show his lack of vanity concerning
personal appearance. Another suggestion is that as long hair is a sign of subjection and submission
in a woman (1 Cor.11:5), it served to show the Nazarites subjection and submission to God. Others
propose that its extraordinary length reminded him of his vow and stimulated others to think and
imitate his example.

6. He Prioritised (v.6-12)

The Nazarites were not allowed to come near any dead body. They were not allowed to attend the
funeral of any relation, not even of their father or mother. This was to show their separation from all
that bore the halmarks of sin and, and also to associate their pious and holy lifestyle with life. It
further emphasised that their relation to God was more important to them than even their relations
(Mat.8:21,22). God was their number one priority. Any breach of this regulation required a lenghty
and complicated ceremonial cleansing (Num.6:9-12).

7. He Sacrificed (v.13-21)

When the Nazarite’s period of consecration was over, sacrifices were required; a sin-offering to
signify atonement for sins committed while under the vow; a burnt-offering to symbolise complete
surrender to the Lord; a peace-offering in thankfulness to God for help to keep the vow; and a
fellowship-offering to speak of the fact that the Nazirite and the Lord were in perfect harmony. After
this, the Nazarite was to cut his hair and cast it on the altar to show that he held nothing back from
God.

ACCOMPLISHMENT

As we have already said, Nazareth had no geographical connection with the Nazarite vow. Matthew
makes the connection either because of the association in the sound of the words, or because he
sees a connection between the root meaning of Nazarite (to separate) and the forced physical
separation of Jesus in Nazareth. However, whether rooted in the sound of the word or the root
meaning of the word, let us consider how Jesus was the fulfillment of the Naazarite, the “separated
one”.

The presence of Nazarites in Israel was a sign of God’s blessing (Lam.4:7; Amos 2:11). The “office”
was honoured by being associated with three eminent servants of God – Samson, Samuel, and John
– on whom the vow was imposed from birth to show that they were destined to an important spiritual
work. The “office” was filled with increasing success by these three men until the idea of the Nazarite
rose to its grand and consummate realisation in Jesus Christ, and the ultimate sign of God’s favour to
the nation.

In Christ the outward helps to spiritual separation – the physical separation from sinful society, the
prohibition on alcohol, the long hair, and the avoidance of the dead – were not necessary. He mixed
with sinners and drank wine (Lk.11:19). He touched the dead (Lk.9:23-26). However, He was able to
maintain separation from sin and commitment to God without the supportive “scaffolding” which sin
rendered necessary in all other Nazarites. He was spiritually “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
from sinners” (Heb.7:26) without all the physical separation which we usually need to secure it. He
was a living sermon of holy and lifelong surrender to God.

The Psalmist gives us a prophetic insight into Christ’s vow as he entered this world to commence a
life of separation from sin and dedication to God: “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it
is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Ps.40:7-8).

It was not necessary for him to abstain from wine to remain the master of it. Christ was master of all
his appetites and desires, never being brought under the power of any at any time. Neither was it
necessary for him to have long hair to communicate his lack of vanity, or his subjection to His Father.
Neither was it necessary for him to have no contact with the dead to emphasise that his ministry was
all about life, or that his heavenly Father was a far more important relation to Him than earthly ones.
And if further proof were needed of his total and lifelong dedication, it was presented on the cross of
calvary where he held nothing back but gave his life as a substitutionary sacrifice.

APPLICATION

Let us worship this perfect Nazarite. Let us admire his dedication and devotion.

The early followers of Christ were also called Nazarenes (Acts 24:5). Perhaps this was because they
followed Jesus of Nazareth. However, it is also an eminently suitable description of the spiritual
character of the Christian as a “separated one”. Are you separate from the world? Are you
consecrated to Christ? Are you committed to him and faithful to your promises? Are you master of
your desires? Are you free free from vanity and subject to your heavenly father? Is your witness and
testimony associated with purity and life or with sin and death? Are you holding back?

II. A TITLE OF DISGRACE

ANTICIPATION

As we mentioned above, the Matthew fulfilment citation may not only be a reference to a title of
dignity, but also to a title of disgrace. This is because one of the possible Hebrew roots for
“Nazarene” is “netzer” meaning “branch” or “shoot”. This should remind us of the numerous
prophecies which describe the Messiah in such terms in order to portray his insignificant beginnings
(Isa. 4:2; 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12–13) and also the related prophecies which speak of
his despised character and his lowly life of rejection (Ps.22; Isa.42:1-4; 53:2-3, 8).

ACCOMPLISHMENT

Nazareth housed the Roman garrison for Northern Galilee. Most Jews would therefore have nothing
to do with this city. In fact those who lived there were thought of as compromisers who consorted with
the enemy. This region of Galilee was despised by the Jews (Jn.7:41, 52) and “Nazarene” was used
by them as a term of contempt. This explains Nathanel’s reaction to Jesus: “And Nathanael said unto
him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (Jn.1:46).
Matthew was inspired to look back and see Christ as the fulfillment of prophecies anticipating his
early insignificant beginnings and later despised status. He is also, under divine direction, answering
the Jewish objection that the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem not Nazareth. Matthew shows
how he was from both Bethlehem and Nazareth, and that both are significant fulfilments of prophecy,
the one literally and the other symbolically or spiritually.

The whole birth narrative anticipates the humiliated character of the Messiah’s life: the stable in
Bethlehem, the persecuted fleeing to Egypt, the continued weeping of Rachel, the upbringing in
despised Nazareth.

APPLICATION

See the humility of the King of Kings. He bypassed Hebron, Shiloh, Ramah, Bethel which were far
more important places, and by settling in Nazareth for 30 years acquired the title of disgrace, “The
Nazarene” (Matt. 21:11; Mark 14:67; John 18:5, 7). However, Christ viewed the title as a badge of
honour, as a sermon in itself. Do you see hope in this title for you? Convicted sinner, have strong
hope that he bypasses the rich, the mighty, the noble and resides with the humble, the lowly, the
despised, and the contemptible (1 Cor.1:19ff).

The humility of the King is be admired and imitated (Phil. 2:1–13). Does your willingness to be
disgraced for Christ’s sake qualify you for the title “a Nazarene” (Acts 24:5).