Jesus’ hometown in northern Israel is home today to a significant Christian population in Israel.

Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, today is the most prominent Arab city in Israel, of which the current majority (approximately 70%) are Muslims, but with Christians comprising most of the remainder of the religious population. Biblically, it is a town of great historical significance: it is where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in Luke 1, marked today by the Church of the Annunciation; and where Jesus came into the synagogue at Nazareth and read from the scroll of Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me…” (Luke 4:18), as He began His earthly ministry.