Matthew 8:20 kjv
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Matthew 8:20 nkjv
And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Matthew 8:20 niv
Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Matthew 8:20 esv
And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
Matthew 8:20 nlt
But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head."
Matthew 8 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 9:58 | Jesus said to him, "Foxes have dens, and birds... Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." | Direct parallel emphasizing Jesus's homelessness. |
| Mk 8:34 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross..." | Cost of discipleship; self-denial. |
| Lk 14:26 | "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother... cannot be my disciple." | Radical devotion required. |
| Mt 10:37 | "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me..." | Prioritizing Christ above all earthly ties. |
| Lk 9:23 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily..." | Daily commitment and sacrifice. |
| Mt 6:19-20 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Heavenly over earthly possessions. |
| 2 Cor 8:9 | "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor..." | Jesus's self-impoverishment for humanity. |
| Phil 2:7-8 | "...but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant... humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death..." | Christ's humility and renunciation. |
| Heb 13:14 | "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." | Believers' transient earthly existence. |
| Jn 18:36 | "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world..." | Jesus's kingdom is spiritual, not earthly. |
| Ps 69:8 | "I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's children." | Prophetic of Messiah's alienation. |
| Isa 53:3 | "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief..." | Suffering and rejection of the Servant. |
| Mt 17:22-23 | "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men..." | Foreshadows Jesus's suffering and rejection. |
| Dan 7:13-14 | "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man..." | Origin of "Son of Man" title; heavenly authority. |
| Mt 12:32 | "...whoever speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven..." | Son of Man's divine and human nature. |
| Acts 7:56 | "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." | Stephen's vision of the glorified Son of Man. |
| 1 Cor 4:11 | "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless..." | Apostolic example of suffering and sacrifice. |
| Mt 25:31 | "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne." | Son of Man as eschatological judge. |
| Jn 1:9 | "The true light... coming into the world." | Jesus's temporary presence on Earth. |
| Jn 4:31-34 | "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." | Jesus's mission as His ultimate priority. |
| Lk 8:14 | "As for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by... riches..." | Warning against the deceitfulness of riches. |
| Mt 19:21 | "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven..." | Call to renounce possessions for Christ. |
Matthew 8 verses
Matthew 8 20 Meaning
Matthew 8:20 presents Jesus's direct response to an eager scribe who pledges to follow Him. Jesus illustrates His life of complete detachment from worldly possessions and comfort, stating that while animals have secure places to dwell, the "Son of Man" possesses no stable home. This statement serves as a profound warning and a radical call, clarifying the costly nature of true discipleship and challenging any expectations of material security or ease for those who choose to follow Him. It reveals Jesus's itinerant, selfless ministry, dedicated entirely to His Father's will and the proclamation of the Kingdom, devoid of earthly dwelling.
Matthew 8 20 Context
This verse occurs within a passage (Mt 8:18-22) immediately following Jesus's display of powerful miracles, including calming a storm and casting out demons. As crowds begin to follow Him, two individuals approach Jesus about discipleship. First, a scribe, highly esteemed for his knowledge of the Mosaic Law and often having a stable livelihood, enthusiastically declares, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go" (Mt 8:19). Jesus's response in verse 20 serves not as an encouragement to a potential recruit, but as a realistic disclosure of the profound cost involved. It confronts the scribe's likely misconception that following the Messiah would bring status, comfort, or material blessings. Jesus implies that His calling transcends the stable, predictable life associated with the religious leaders of that era. He models a radical, itinerant lifestyle that prioritized the Father's mission over any earthly security or comfort, requiring His followers to adopt a similar detachment. This conversation acts as a stark filter, distinguishing between those drawn by spectacle or selfish motives and those genuinely prepared for selfless, unwavering commitment to the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 8 20 Word analysis
- And: Greek kai. Connects Jesus's statement directly to the scribe's pledge, signifying an immediate and specific response.
- Jesus: Greek Iēsous. Identifies the divine Teacher and Messiah, whose authority underscores the weight of His words, even about His own humility.
- said to him: Greek eipo auto. Highlights a direct, personal address, revealing Jesus's intent to clarify the cost of discipleship to this particular individual.
- Foxes: Greek alōpekes. Refers to wild canids known for their cunning and for living in underground burrows, representing common creatures of the earth with natural shelters.
- have dens: Greek pholēous echousin. "Dens" (pholēoi) are burrows or refuges. This implies a secure and established dwelling, highlighting a basic provision of nature.
- and: Greek kai. Links the example of foxes to that of birds, further establishing a broad principle of natural provision.
- birds of the air: Greek peteina tou ouranou. A common idiom for wild birds, indicating creatures that fly freely yet find their designated places of rest.
- have nests: Greek katalysōseis echousin. "Nests" (katalysōseis) refer to structures for rest, security, and raising young. This reinforces the natural provision for all creatures, emphasizing shelter and belonging.
- but: Greek de. A strong adversative conjunction introducing a stark contrast, shifting from the general provision in nature to Jesus's unique lack.
- the Son of Man: Greek ho huios tou anthrōpou. Jesus's favored self-designation, rooted in Dan 7:13-14. This title simultaneously asserts His profound humanity, His messianic identity, and His divine authority, especially in eschatological judgment. Its use here profoundly highlights His voluntary humility and lack of earthly belonging despite His majestic nature.
- has nowhere: Greek ouk echei pou. Literally "not has where," expressing a complete and absolute absence of a place. This underscores the literal itinerancy and homelessness of Jesus's ministry.
- to lay His head: Greek tēn kephalēn klinē. A direct, physical metaphor for finding rest, security, and a permanent dwelling. It emphasizes Jesus's self-emptying and lack of earthly comfort or settled life.
Matthew 8 20 Bonus section
- The rhetorical force of comparing Jesus's state to common animals like foxes and birds is significant. These creatures, generally seen as lesser, fulfill their basic need for shelter effortlessly. Jesus's deliberate renunciation of even this fundamental comfort underlines the radical nature of His incarnational ministry.
- This statement reveals a central truth about Jesus's kingdom: it is not of this world (Jn 18:36). His lack of an earthly home is a physical manifestation of His spiritual authority and His detachment from worldly systems, beckoning His followers to adopt a similar posture.
- The conversation with the scribe highlights Jesus's discerning pastoral approach. Rather than merely accepting all who pledge allegiance, He challenges them to understand the true, demanding nature of His call, thus separating superficial enthusiasm from genuine commitment.
Matthew 8 20 Commentary
Matthew 8:20 offers an uncompromising revelation about the true demands of following Christ. Addressing a scribe eager to enlist, Jesus challenges any assumption that discipleship would bring worldly comforts or stability. He contrasts the basic provisions afforded to "foxes" and "birds of the air"—creatures naturally finding rest and shelter—with His own state: "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." This is not a lament of destitution but a declarative statement of His profound spiritual priorities and the transient, mission-focused nature of His life on earth. By using the title "Son of Man," which encompasses both His human lowliness and His ultimate divine authority, Jesus highlights that even the sovereign King chose a life devoid of earthly anchors. This verse forces an immediate reckoning for potential followers, filtering out those seeking worldly gain or ease, and inviting only those willing to embrace radical self-denial and unwavering commitment to His Kingdom above all else. It is a timeless call to understand that following Jesus means participating in a journey often without a worldly home, focused entirely on the divine purpose.