Nazareth, Israel, Jesus' Hometown, Mt. Precipice, Church of Annunciation, Christ Rejected, Luke 4
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Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth and was rejected by His own people. They were so angry that He claimed to be the Messiah that they attempted to throw Him off a cliff close-by to their town. Click the donate link below to support our work in producing videos about the Holy Land:
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Location
1. Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel in the Lower Galilee area.
2. It’s about 15 miles (24 km.) southwest of the Sea of Galilee, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km.) southwest of Cana, and about 23 miles (37 km.) inland from the Mediterranean Sea.
Historical Background
1. Nazareth had an estimated population of around 300 during the time of Christ.
2. It’s a famous town because this is where the Angel Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth to Mary.
3. Nazareth is also the place where Jesus grew up.
4. It was a small farming town where everyone knew each other.
5. For some reason, Nazareth had a bad reputation (John 1:43-46).
Places of Interest
1. Church of the Annunciation (also known as the Basilica of the Annunciation)
2. Mary’s Well
3. Greek Catholic Church
4. Synagogue Church
5. Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
6. St. Joseph’s Church
7. Mensa Christi Church
8. Greek Catholic Church
9. Mt. Precipice
Nazareth & Mt. Precipice In the Bible
1. Nazareth was the home of Joseph and Mary and the place where the angel Gabriel was sent to announce to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Christ the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38).
2. There have been two churches built here to commemorate this announcement. One is called, the “Church of the Annunciation,” and the other, the “Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation.” The most likely place, which has the most archaeological and historical evidence is the Church of the Annunciation.
3. After living in Egypt for some time after Christ’s birth, His parents returned to Nazareth where Jesus grew up (Matthew 2:19-23).
4. Jesus lived in Nazareth until He started His earthly ministry at the age of 30. From Nazareth, Christ relocated and set up His ministry home base in Capernaum (Matthew 4:13–17).
5. Jesus was rejected by His own townspeople at Nazareth and was unable to perform many miracles there due to their lack of faith in Him (Luke 4:14-27).
6. Those who knew Christ best rejected Him and attempted to throw Him off a cliff close-by to their town. Today, this place is called Mount Precipice (Luke 4:28–30).
Faith Lesson from Nazareth
1. Nazareth had a bad reputation. God oftentimes places light in the dark so the light can illuminate the darkness. Are we being lights where we live?
2. The people of Nazareth largely rejected Christ. It shouldn’t surprise us if we too are rejected because of our faith in Christ and adherence to His Word.
3. Christ was rejected so He understands when we are rejected by our close friends and family members because of our faith in Him.
4. Do we reject Christ by refusing His offer of salvation, by refusing to be obedient Him, or by not sharing our faith with those around us?