I have read from some authors that Matthew is confusing Judges 13:5, which refers to an ascetic religious sect (the Nazirites) and not a place of birth. It is possible that Nazareth the town didn't exist until the late first century.
It’s true that Matthew likely confused Nazirite in Judges 13:5 with Nazarene, forcing a prophecy where none existed. As for Nazareth, it was such a tiny, obscure village that no major texts mentioned it.
However, we know Nazareth existed because archaeologists uncovered houses, rock-hewn tombs, agricultural terraces, first-century pottery, household artifacts, and Jewish burial sites — along with some early Christian references.
I have read from some authors that Matthew is confusing Judges 13:5, which refers to an ascetic religious sect (the Nazirites) and not a place of birth. It is possible that Nazareth the town didn't exist until the late first century.
It’s true that Matthew likely confused Nazirite in Judges 13:5 with Nazarene, forcing a prophecy where none existed. As for Nazareth, it was such a tiny, obscure village that no major texts mentioned it.
However, we know Nazareth existed because archaeologists uncovered houses, rock-hewn tombs, agricultural terraces, first-century pottery, household artifacts, and Jewish burial sites — along with some early Christian references.