Matthew 8:20

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.

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, The foxes {G258} have {G2192} holes {G5454}, and {G2532} the birds {G4071} of the air {G3772} have nests {G2682}; but {G1161} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} hath {G2192} not {G3756} where {G4226} to lay {G2827} his head {G2776}.

Yeshua said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds flying about have nests, but the Son of Man has no home of his own."

Jesus replied, โ€œFoxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.โ€

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Commentary

In Matthew 8:20, Jesus delivers a profound statement to a scribe who eagerly offers to follow Him, highlighting the stark reality of His earthly ministry and the implications for those who would commit to Him. This verse challenges superficial enthusiasm, laying bare the true cost of discipleship.

Context

This declaration by Jesus occurs after He has demonstrated immense authority through healing a leper (Matthew 8:1-4) and the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13), and casting out demons (Matthew 8:16). A certain scribe approaches Jesus, declaring, "Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." Instead of an immediate welcome, Jesus offers a sobering truth about His own lack of earthly comfort and security. This serves as a test of the scribe's understanding of what truly following Jesus entails, moving beyond mere excitement about His miracles to a commitment to His way of life.

Key Themes

  • The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus makes it clear that following Him is not a path to earthly comfort or security. It demands sacrifice, self-denial, and a willingness to forgo material possessions and stable dwelling, as He Himself did. This echoes the broader theme of bearing one's cross to follow Him.
  • Jesus' Humanity and Humility: The verse powerfully illustrates Jesus' complete identification with humanity, experiencing profound vulnerability and dependence. As the Son of God, He chose a life without a permanent home, embodying humility and showing that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
  • The Nature of Jesus' Kingdom: This statement subtly reveals that Jesus' mission and kingdom are spiritual, not political or material. He did not come to establish an earthly dominion with palaces and comforts, but a spiritual realm requiring a different kind of allegiance and sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Son of man" (Greek: ho huios tou anthrลpou) is a significant term Jesus frequently used to refer to Himself. While emphasizing His genuine humanity and identification with mankind, it also carries profound messianic implications, drawing from Daniel 7:13-14, where a "Son of man" figure is given everlasting dominion and glory. In this context, Jesus uses it to highlight His earthly vulnerability despite His divine authority, creating a paradox that underscores the nature of His mission.

Reflection and Application

Jesus' words in Matthew 8:20 serve as a timeless challenge to all who consider following Him. They call for a realistic assessment of commitment, reminding us that true discipleship may involve personal sacrifice, discomfort, and a detachment from worldly securities. It is a call to prioritize allegiance to Christ above all earthly comforts and ambitions. This verse encourages believers to embrace a life of humility and dependence on God, understanding that our ultimate home and security are not found in this world, but in Him. The parallel account in Luke 9:58 reinforces this profound truth about the radical nature of following Jesus.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 84:3

    Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, [even] thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

  • Luke 2:7

    And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

  • Isaiah 53:2

    For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

  • Psalms 69:29

    But I [am] poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

  • Luke 2:12

    And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
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