And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:23
Jesus was a Nazarene. His followers were later also called Nazarenes. It is interesting to note what is said about Paul in Acts 24:5 and how he responds in the verses following:
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Acts 24:5
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: Acts 24:10-14
The name Nazarene was applied to someone who came from Nazareth. Jesus’ followers were called Nazarenes. They possibly took the name in honor of Jesus who was called a Nazarene or they may have been called that name in a derogatory way related to the question “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Another possibility (if they chose that name for themselves) may stem from what the word actually means in Hebrew. “Nazarenes” is translated from natsariym which is a plural form of natsar.
H5341 נצר nâtsar naw-tsar’
A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.): – besieged, hidden thing, keep (-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve (-r), subtil, watcher (-man).
This word is used frequently in Psalms in a very interesting way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keepH5341 his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keepH5341 his commandments: Psalm 78:7
That they might observe his statutes, and keepH5341 his laws. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 105:45
Blessed are they that keepH5341 his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Psalm 119:2
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have keptH5341 thy testimonies. Psalm 119:22
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keepH5341 it unto the end. Psalm 119:33
Give me understanding, and I shall keepH5341 thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Psalm 119:34
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keepH5341 thy precepts with my whole heart. Psalm 119:69
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keepH5341 the commandments of my God. Psalm 119:115
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keepH5341 them. Psalm 119:129
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keepH5341 thy statutes. Psalm 119:145
From these texts we could conclude that “Nazarenes” (natsariym) are keepers of God’s laws, precepts, statutes, etc.
I would like to point out that Nazarenes and Nazarites are not the same. The Hebrew words are very different in meaning even though there may be some similarities in the way they sound.
Nazarite–
H5139
נזר נזיר nâzı̂yr nâzir naw-zeer’, naw-zeer’
From H5144; separate, that is, consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite). (The translation, Nazarite, is by a false alliteration with Nazareth.): – Nazarite [by a false alliteration with Nazareth], separate (-d), vine undressed.
H5144
נזר nâzar naw-zar’
A primitive root; to hold aloof, that is, (intransitively) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (that is, apostatize)); specifically to set apart (to sacred purposes), that is, devote: – consecrate, separate (-ing, self).
Nazarene–
H5341 נצר nâtsar naw-tsar’
A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.): – besieged, hidden thing, keep (-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve (-r), subtil, watcher (-man).
Was Jesus a Nazarene for more than one reason?
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18
“Nazarenes” are also watchmen.
For there shall be a day, that the watchmenH5341 upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. Jeremiah 31:6
According to Epiphanius of Salamis, the Nazarenes were a sect of Christianity that sprang from those who fled Jerusalem (in obedience to Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24) just before it was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. They were very conscientiously Torah-observant. In his “Panarion,” written between 374 and 377, he included some interesting things about these people in the chapter called “Against Nazoraeans.” Keep in mind that he was a Roman Catholic “Christian” and categorizes the Nazarenes as “heretics.”
“They use not only the New Testament but the Old Testament as well, as the Jews do. For unlike the previous sectarians, they do not repudiate the legislation, the prophets, and the books Jews call ”Writings.” They have no different ideas, but confess everything exactly as the Law proclaims it and in the Jewish fashion-except for their belief in Christ, if you please! For they acknowledge both the resurrection of the dead and the divine creation of all things, and declare that God is one, and that his Son is Jesus Christ.
“They are trained to a nicety in Hebrew. For among them the entire Law, the prophets, and the so-called Writings-I mean the poetic books, Kings, Chronicles, Esther and all the rest-are read in Hebrew, as they surely are by Jews. They are different from Jews, and different from Christians, only in the following. They disagree with Jews because they have come to faith in Christ; but since they are still fettered by the Law-circumcision, the Sabbath, and the rest -they are not in accord with Christians.”
It is this group that is being described in the following paragraph:
Not one Christian perished in the destruction of Jerusalem. Christ had given His disciples warning, and all who believed His words watched for the promised sign. “When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies,” said Jesus, “then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out.” Luke 21:20, 21. After the Romans under Cestius had surrounded the city, they unexpectedly abandoned the siege when everything seemed favorable for an immediate attack. The besieged, despairing of successful resistance, were on the point of surrender, when the Roman general withdrew his forces without the least apparent reason. But God’s merciful providence was directing events for the good of His own people. The promised sign had been given to the waiting Christians, and now an opportunity was offered for all who would, to obey the Saviour’s warning. Events were so overruled that neither Jews nor Romans should hinder the flight of the Christians. Upon the retreat of Cestius, the Jews, sallying from Jerusalem, pursued after his retiring army; and while both forces were thus fully engaged, the Christians had an opportunity to leave the city. At this time the country also had been cleared of enemies who might have endeavored to intercept them. At the time of the siege, the Jews were assembled at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, and thus the Christians throughout the land were able to make their escape unmolested. Without delay they fled to a place of safety–the city of Pella, in the land of Perea, beyond Jordan. (The Great Controversy, p. 30, 31)
An interesting part of Paul’s story is recorded in Acts 21.
And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. Acts 21:17-24
Apparently many of the believing Jews misunderstood what Paul was advocating and thought that he was anti-Torah. James and all the elders wanted him to prove that this was not the case, which indicates that they themselves were not anti-Torah.