Nazarene
The connection between Jesus being called a Nazarene and the Nazarite vow takes on profound layers when we consider the prophetic types of Samson and Samuel, both of whom were Nazarites and foreshadowed aspects of Christ’s life and mission. The records of Samson and Samuel in the Old Testament are not just historical accounts; they prophesy that the Messiah, Jesus, would also be called a Nazarite. Furthermore, the wordplay between Nazarene and Nazarite strengthens the connection, revealing that the titles are intertwined in a symbolic and prophetic sense.
1. Samson and Samuel as Types of Christ:
Both Samson and Samuel were Nazarites by birth, set apart by God for special purposes. They embodied the qualities of the Nazarite vow—dedication to God, separation from worldly pleasures, and a focus on fulfilling God’s will. In many ways, they are types of Christ, pointing forward to the perfect fulfillment of the Nazarite vow in Jesus.
- Samson: Samson’s life was marked by miraculous strength, but it was also marred by personal failure. Nevertheless, his birth was foretold, and he was chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Philistines, much like how Christ’s birth was foretold and He was chosen to deliver humanity from sin. Samson’s Nazarite vow involved abstaining from wine, avoiding contact with the dead, and keeping his hair uncut—all elements that are echoed in the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Samson’s eventual death and the collapse of the Philistine temple can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrificial death to destroy the power of sin and death.
- Samuel: Like Samson, Samuel was also a Nazarite, dedicated to God from birth. He played a pivotal role in the history of Israel, serving as a prophet and judge. Samuel’s life was characterized by obedience to God and separation from worldly desires—qualities that prefigure Christ’s perfect obedience to the Father. Samuel anointed David, who was a type of Christ, as the future king of Israel. Samuel’s role as a prophet and his dedication to God mirrored Jesus’ role as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King.
Both Samson and Samuel, as Nazarites, prophesy that the coming Messiah would also be one who was separated for God’s purposes. Their lives and the Nazarite vow they embodied serve as types or shadows of the fulfillment of that vow in the life of Jesus.
2. Jesus and the Nazarite Vow:
While Jesus was not a Nazarite in the full, traditional sense of the vow, the Nazarite appears to be a prophetic riddle concerning Christ; He fulfilled its spirit and purpose in several key ways. His life and actions, especially during the Last Supper, align with the central elements of the Nazarite vow, showing how He embodied the dedication, separation, and holiness associated with being a Nazarite.
- Abstaining from Wine: At the Last Supper, Jesus took a literal Nazarite-like vow when He chose not to drink wine. In Matthew 26:29, He says, "I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom." This vow to abstain from wine mirrors the Nazarite vow of abstinence from wine as a sign of dedication and separation for God’s purpose.
- Avoiding Contact with the Dead: Another element of the Nazarite vow is avoiding contact with the dead. Jesus fulfills this aspect by being placed in an unused tomb (Luke 23:53), which was undefiled and symbolized His holiness and separation for God’s purpose. The unused tomb shows that Jesus maintained purity, fulfilling the Nazarite vow’s requirement to remain separated from death.
- Long Hair as a Symbol of Holiness: While there is no explicit mention of Jesus having long hair, the symbolic significance of the Nazarite vow’s long hair speaks to Jesus' dedication and separation to God’s will. Jesus bore the shame of sin through His crucifixion, but He remained righteous—fulfilling the spiritual intent of the Nazarite’s long hair, which symbolizes holiness and dedication to God.
- Shaving the Head as Loss of Authority: In the Nazarite vow, if the individual became defiled, they were required to shave their head, symbolizing a loss of authority or dedication to the vow (Numbers 6:9-12). In Matthew 27:46, Jesus’ cry of "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" represents a temporary loss of His authority and separation from the Father as He bore humanity’s sin. This cry parallels the shaving of the head in the Nazarite vow, symbolizing the loss of spiritual authority. Yet, in His resurrection, Jesus’ authority was restored, fulfilling the vow and setting the stage for the ultimate victory over sin and death.
3. Wordplay Between Nazarene and Nazarite:
The connection between Nazarene and Nazarite is not only geographical but also symbolic. The term "Nazarene" refers to Jesus being from the town of Nazareth, but it also resonates with the word "Nazarite", which comes from the Hebrew word "nezer" (נזר), meaning “crown” or “separation.” This wordplay between "Nazarene" and "Nazarite" emphasizes that Jesus, though from Nazareth, was also one who was set apart for a divine purpose, just as a Nazarite was dedicated to God’s service. The title "Nazarene" can thus be seen as both a geographical reference and a spiritual connection to the Nazarite vow.
In Matthew 2:23, it is written that Jesus being called a Nazarene fulfills what was spoken by the prophets, though the specific prophecy is not directly quoted. This could be understood as a prophetic reference to the Nazarite vow, suggesting that Jesus would be set apart and dedicated to God’s mission, much like the Nazarite.
4. Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Nazarite Vow:
Jesus’ death and resurrection serve to fulfill the Nazarite vow in a unique and perfect way. The Nazarite vow required sacrifices for breaches, but Jesus, through His sacrifice, fulfilled the ultimate purpose of the vow without the need for any additional penalty or defilement. Jesus’ resurrection set Him free from the vow, as His victory over sin and death marked the fulfillment of the Nazarite vow.
5. Conclusion:
The Nazarite vow as seen in the lives of Samson and Samuel prophesies that the coming Messiah would be one who was separated for God’s purposes. Their Nazarite status foreshadows the perfect Nazarite—Jesus, who was called a Nazarene because of His geographical origin and because He was set apart for God’s redemptive purpose. Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper, His death, and His resurrection fulfilled the spirit of the Nazarite vow. His abstinence from wine, His separation from death through the unused tomb, His cry of forsakenness that symbolized a loss of authority, and His ultimate restoration in the resurrection all point to the fulfillment of the Nazarite vow. Moreover, the wordplay between Nazarene and Nazarite underscores Jesus’ dedication, separation, and holiness as the Messiah, who perfectly fulfilled the prophetic types of Samson and Samuel.
