We see here the cause why the angel also, putting them at ease for the
future, restores them to their home. And not even this simply, but he adds to
it a prophecy, “That it might be fulfilled,” saith he, “which was spoken by the
prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”
And what manner of prophet said this? Be not curious, nor overbusy.
For many of the prophetic writings have been lost; and this one may see from
the history of the Chronicles. For being negligent, and continually falling
into ungodliness, some they suffered to perish, others they themselves burnt up
and cut to pieces. The latter fact Jeremiah relates; the former, he who
composed the fourth book of Kings, saying, that after a long time the book of
Deuteronomy was hardly found, buried somewhere and lost. But if, when there was
no barbarian there, they so betrayed their books, much more when the barbarians
had overrun them. For as to the fact, that the prophet had foretold it, the
apostles themselves in many places call Him a Nazarene.
“Was not this then,” one may say, “casting a shade over the prophecy
touching Bethlehem?” By no means: rather this very fact was sure greatly to
stir up men, and to awaken them to the search of what was said of Him. Thus,
for example, Nathanael too enters on the inquiry concerning Him, saying, “Can
there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” For the place was of little esteem;
or rather not that place only, but also the whole district of Galilee.
Therefore the Pharisees said, “Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth no
prophet.” Nevertheless, He is not ashamed to be named even from thence,
signifying that He needs not ought of the things of men; and His disciples also
He choses out of Galilee; everywhere cutting off the pretexts of them who are
disposed to be remiss, and giving tokens that we have no need of outward
things, if we practise virtue. For this cause He doth not choose for Himself so
much as a house; for “the Son of Man,” saith He, “hath not where to lay His
head;” and when Herod is plotting against Him, He fleeth, and at His birth is
laid in a manger, and abides in an inn, and takes a mother of low estate;
teaching us to think no such thing a disgrace, and from the first outset
trampling under foot the haughtiness of man, and bidding us give ourselves up
to virtue only. (John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 9.6 [NPNF1 10:58-59])
