The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index
Jesus of Nazareth
"Can any good come out of Nazareth?" remarked Nathaniel, speaking of Jesus.
(John 1:46) The Old Testament never mentions the town Nazareth. Nor is it listed
among the 63 Galilean towns in the Talmud. The first ancient reference to
Nazareth, found outside the New Testament writings, turned up in 1962. Digging near
Caesarea-on-the-Sea, archaeologists unearthed these 2 inscribed tablets. The 2
stone fragments were once part of a wall panel of a third-century synagogue, which listed the current residences of the 24 priestly classes who once
served the temple. (I Chronicles 24:7-18, Luke 1:15) The name "Nazareth" appears on
the left stone, in the second of the four lines.
"Can any good come out of Nazareth?" remarked Nathaniel, speaking of Jesus.
(John 1:46) The Old Testament never mentions the town Nazareth. Nor is it listed
among the 63 Galilean towns in the Talmud. The first ancient reference to
Nazareth, found outside the New Testament writings, turned up in 1962. Digging near
Caesarea-on-the-Sea, archaeologists unearthed these 2 inscribed tablets. The 2
stone fragments were once part of a wall panel of a third-century synagogue, which listed the current residences of the 24 priestly classes who once
served the temple. (I Chronicles 24:7-18, Luke 1:15) The name "Nazareth" appears on
the left stone, in the second of the four lines.