2:23a

and he went and lived: In 2:22d, the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “withdrew” already indicates that Joseph and his family had gone to Galilee. So in 2:23a, many English versions do not translate the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went. These versions only translate the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lived. For example:

There he settled (New Jerusalem Bible)

a town called Nazareth: In some languages, it may not be natural to literally translate the phrase a town called Nazareth. You may want to translate this phrase as:

the town of Nazareth

2:23b

So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: There are two ways to interpret the way 2:23b is connected to 2:23a:

(1) It is the purpose for Joseph’s move to Nazareth. According to this interpretation, Joseph moved to Nazareth so that scripture would be fulfilled. For example:

so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled (New Revised Standard Version)

(English Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) It is the result of Joseph’s move to Nazareth. According to this interpretation, Joseph moved to Nazareth, and as a result scripture was fulfilled. For example:

And so what the prophets had said came true (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So clearly indicates purpose. From a human perspective, Joseph’s move resulted in scripture being fulfilled. But from a divine perspective, God caused Joseph to move to Nazareth in order to fulfill scripture.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

⌊They did this⌋ so that the words of the prophets might be fulfilled.
-or-

⌊God caused them to do this⌋ so that what the prophets spoke might come true.

was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: The word translated as was spoken is passive. The verb translated as was fulfilled is also passive.

Here are some ways to translate these words:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled (New Revised Standard Version)

• Use active verbs. For example:

⌊They moved there⌋ in order to fulfill what ⌊God⌋ said through the prophets

• Use both a passive and an active verb. For example:

⌊God caused them to go there⌋ so that what he/God said through the prophets would be fulfilled.

See how you translated a similar clause in 1:22 and 2:17. But remember to use the plural prophets here rather than the singular “prophet.”

2:23c

He will be called: The verb will be called is passive.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Using a passive form. For example:

he will be called

• Using an active form. For example:

people will call him

The verb “call” also occurs in 1:23.

a Nazarene: The word Nazarene refers to a person whose hometown is Nazareth. You should translate this word to properly indicate a person from Nazareth. For example:

a Nazareth man
-or-
a citizen of Nazareth

-or-

a person from Nazareth

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