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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Αἱ
G3588
Αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
9 of 26
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
of the air
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
of the air
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
14 of 26
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
κατασκηνώσεις
have nests
G2682
κατασκηνώσεις
have nests
Strong's:
G2682
Word #:
15 of 26
an encamping, i.e., (figuratively) a perch
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
18 of 26
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
22 of 26
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ποῦ
where
G4226
ποῦ
where
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
23 of 26
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 84:3Yea, 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 2:7And 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.
Historical Context
Jesus had no permanent residence during His three-year ministry, depending on hospitality from supporters like Peter (Capernaum), Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Bethany). This itinerant poverty fulfilled Isaiah 53's portrayal of the Suffering Servant as despised and rejected.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Christ's voluntary poverty and homelessness teach about the cost He paid for our redemption?
- How should Jesus' warning about discipleship's cost inform how we present the gospel to potential converts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' stark statement 'the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head' reveals the voluntary poverty and homelessness He embraced in incarnation. The title 'Son of man' (from Daniel 7:13-14) ironically juxtaposes His divine identity and messianic authority with His present humiliation and rejection. This demonstrates Christ's condescension—the Lord of glory becoming poorer than animals to accomplish redemption (2 Corinthians 8:9).