Situated inside a bowl atop the Nazareth ridge north of the Jezreel Valley, Nazareth was a relatively isolated village in the time of Jesus with a population less than 200.
Today, Nazareth is home to more than 60,000 Israeli Arabs, and Upper Nazareth is home to thousands more Jewish residents.
Very little is known about Nazareth from the ancient sources. Outside of the New Testament, Nazareth is never mentioned until the Byzantine period (4th c. AD). Archaeological excavations have confirmed that the city was only a small agricultural village during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
A Byzantine church was built over the place where it is believed that the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary. In 1966, the Roman Catholic Church began constructing a new basilica over these remains and today this church is the largest church building in the Middle East. The Greek Orthodox Church nearby is built over the town’s water source.
Jesus spent His boyhood years in Nazareth before beginning His ministry when He was about 30 (Mark 1). After moving His home to Capernaum, Jesus returned to teach in the synagogue of Nazareth twice more, but was rejected both times (Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30). On one occasion the townspeople were so outraged at Jesus that they tried to throw Him off a cliff to His death.
For Bible chapters related to Nazareth, see Matthew 2 and Luke 4. See also historical photos of Nazareth and the Fountain of the Virgin at Life in the Holy Land.
Nazareth (Custodia Terrae Sanctae) A nice 8-minute video tour and overview of Nazareth, concentrating on the Franciscan basilica.
Biblical Story of Jesus Possibly Explained by Excavations in His Hometown of Nazareth (LiveScience) This 2020 article discusses recent discoveries in Nazareth through the Nazareth Archaeological Project.
Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation (Tour the Holy Lands) A highly readable article concentrating on the history of the basilica.
Nazareth (Into His Own) A brief, encyclopedia-type article with links to related words and topics for further study.
Welcome to Jesus’ home town (Nazareth Village) Nazareth Village is “a first-century village and farm recreated in Nazareth.” Extensive site promotes this attraction.
Nazareth (Crystalinks) Brief summarization of the biblical events that took place in the tiny town.
Has the Childhood Home of Jesus Been Found? (Bible History Daily) Discussion of the excavation of a 1st-century home in Nazareth, and why it interests people now, leading into the longer article published in BAR in 2015.
The Archaeology of Nazareth in the Early First Century (The Bible and Interpretation) A detailed article by Ken Dark about Nazareth’s archaeology, with three supplemental photographs.
Nazareth—Jesus’ Hometown with a View to the Past and the Future (Wayne Stiles) This article looks at Nazareth and offers a few take-aways for today. He also has a post about his visit to Nazareth Village.
Mount Precipice (Jesus Trail) A brief introduction to the traditional site where Jesus was mobbed, from Luke 4.
