Nazareth was a small village at the time of Jesus, living under the shadow of the neighbouring city of Sepphoris. As a result of it being the place where Jesus grew up, Nazareth today is a thriving town while Sepphoris is the neighbouring archaeological ruin.

The area around the Basilica of the Annuciation has been extensively excavated and remains of the first century village can be seen by appointment.

Matthew Chapter 2

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

John Chapter 1

 45 Philip found Nathana-el, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathana-el said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

The Revised Standard Version, (New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.) 1973, 1977.