Nazarene

Nazarene (Greek Nazaraios) was the epithet applied to Jesus, identifying him as a man from Nazareth. Matthew 2:23 cites the prophetic fulfillment "He shall be called a Nazarene" — a citation whose source in the Old Testament is much debated, with scholars proposing connections to the Hebrew netser ("branch," Isa. 11:1) or to the concept of the Nazirite. Enemies used it disparagingly: the blind Bartimaeus called out "Jesus, son of David" but others in the crowd used "Jesus of Nazareth" (Mark 10:47). At the crucifixion Pilate had it inscribed above the cross (John 19:19). Acts 2:22 uses "Jesus of Nazareth" in the first apostolic sermon. Early Jewish-Christian groups were sometimes called "Nazarenes" (Notzrim), a term still used for Christians in Hebrew and Arabic.