Dict: easton - Nazarene

easton:

Nazarene @ This epithet (Gr. Nazaraios) is applied to Christ only once kjv@Matthew:2:23). In all other cases the word is rendered "of Nazareth" kjv@Mark:1:24 kjv@Mark:10:47 kjv@Mark:14:67 , etc.). When this Greek designation was at first applied to our Lord, it was meant simply to denote the place of his residence. In course of time the word became a term of reproach. Thus the word "Nazarene" carries with it an allusion to those prophecies which speak of Christ as "despised of men" kjv@Isaiah:53:3). Some, however, think that in this name there is an allusion to the Hebrew netser, which signifies a branch or sprout. It is so applied to the Messiah kjv@Isaiah:11:1), i.e., he whom the prophets called the Netse, the "Branch." The followers of Christ were called "the sect of Nazarenes" kjv@Acts:24:5). All over Palestine and Syria this name is still given to Christians. (
See NAZARETH.)