Thread: Matthew 2:23 -- Self-fulfilled prophecy?

The verse reads: And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene." (RSV)

As written, it implies that Jesus moved to Nazareth simply to fulfill the prophecy. In that case, the prophet wasn't predicting the future, he was directing it. Jesus just took advantage of the direction. Isn't this about the same as someone from Massachusetts registering their automobile in New Hampshire just to save on taxes?

"And he went..."
who is the "he" being mentioned? if you read all of Matthew 2 you would see that Jesus was still a child, therefor he had no say in where he moved. the "he" mentioned wasn't Jesus, but Joseph. so your analogy is wrong. he is called a Nazarene because he grew up there, just like i was born in Alabama, but if someone asks me where i am from i tell them Florida.

all prophecy is self-fulfilled, unless the person acting it out has no knowledge of the prophecy. but how could that be possible? the prophecy would have to be well known for it to have merit. this problem is a key reason for not using prophecy in arguments.

You interest me strangely.

Um ... that prophecies is one of the oldest problems with the prophecies of Jesus. Go to your bible, notice that the other prophecies have little foot notes telling you where the prophecy occurs. There is no such note for Matt 2:23. That is because there never was such a prophecy. Furthermore, it wouldn't make any sense for there to be one, since the city of Nazarene was founded after the prophecies of the messiah were written.