Nazareth- The first landmark in Jesus Trail
The city of Nazareth is the first landmark of Jesus Trail. The Jesus Trail is a 65 KM route, in the Galilee region. It was established by Maoz Inon, a Jewish Israeli entrepreneur, and David Landis, a Christian American hiking specialist. The trail was marked during 2008 and these days it is being managed by volunteers. The trail follows the journey Jesus may have walked and it passes many interesting places such as the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Jordan River, etc. Nazareth is the first landmark of the trail. Any hiker who wishes to complete the trail would most probably start his/her walk-in Nazareth.
Nazareth in the old and new Testament
Nazareth is not mentioned in the old Testament. Having said that some scholars claim that the city is mentioned indirectly in the book of Zechariah Chapter 11. In the New Testament, the word Nazareth can be spotted in many cases. The word Nazareth is mentioned in more than 25 different verses. Here are some important verses with the word Nazareth.
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee”
Luke 1:26
“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day, he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read”
Luke 4:16
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him”
Acts 10:38
“And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Matthew 2:23
Five places to see in Nazareth
Nazareth is such an interesting place, there are so many places that could easily be included in this list. We have picked the five places we believe are a must-visit if you arrive in Nazareth. If you have more time, and you are not constrained by a group timeline, you may also consider Nazareth’s surroundings, such as Cana (Kafr Kanna) and The remains of ancient Zippori.
Basilica of the Annunciation
One of the most important churches in Israel. This is a Catholic church that was established over the site where Catholic tradition believe was the house of virgin Mary. This is the house where Mary was when angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that she would conceive and bear the Son of God, Jesus – an event known as the Annunciation.
