Nazareth was a relatively isolated town until the coming of its most illustrious son—Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter and the son of Mary. Nothing much was expected of it, as expressed by Philip from Bethsaida, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46). When Jesus returned to Nazareth after gaining renown, the people of Nazareth did not believe in him because they saw him as just one of them, people in the periphery of salvation history. Nazareth, in fact, is not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. But Nazareth is forever attached to Jesus. The first believers were in fact referred to as “the Nazarenes” before they were known as Christians.

This “little town” of Nazareth was ideal for Jesus’ “hidden life.” With the relative peace in Galilee under Herod Antipas, Jesus grew up under the guidance of Mary and Joseph. Jesus’ growth and development in Nazareth is intellectual as well as physical: “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom…” (v 40). This serves to introduce the next scene where the 12-year-old boy astounds the teachers at the temple with his wisdom (Lk 2:41-52). Jesus, being truly man, also has to grow. At the same time, he is the Son of God, possessing incomparable wisdom.

I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the Evil One.

I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the Evil One.

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.