spoken by the prophets] He doth not say, By the prophet, as verse 15. because it is not found in any one prophet, but in divers, and that not in the words, but in the sense. He shall be called] See notes on Chap. 1. 23. a Nazarene] The name of Nazareth was not known in the old Testament. It must therefore be an allusion to Neiser, a. branch. A name often given to Christ by the prophets, Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 11:1. Jere. 23. 5. and 33. 15. Zechariah 3:8. and 6. 12 From thence it is likely, that Natsareth had that name, for so it is written in the Syriack. The application of it to the Nazarites, agrees not with the letters, though some expound it so, and apply to Christ, as typified by Samson, who was a Nazarite from his birth, Judges 13:5.