Keraia
Matthew 8

Matthew 8:20

The Cost of Discipleship · Matthew 8:18–22
Read Matthew 8

Translations

Modern
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Jesus says to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere He might lay the head.”
Latin
Et dicit ei Jesus: Vulpes foveas habent, et volucres cæli nidos; Filius autem hominis non habet ubi caput reclinet.

Original

Greek
English
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

Notes

Matthew 8:20

Being a disciple of Jesus is not easy. It requires more than knowing the right things. Following Jesus includes being willing to give up life’s normal comforts.

Matthew 8:18–22

Jesus once met two people who said they wanted to be his followers. Jesus explained what it really means to follow him. He wanted them to understand that following him required serious commitment.

Matthew 8:1–9:34

Here, the kingdom of God appears with supernatural power (see Matthew 4:23–25; 11:2–6). It reaches people who were previously excluded from God's blessings. This included:

  • non-Jewish people,

  • lepers,

  • blind people,

  • sick women,

  • people possessed by demons,

  • tax collectors,

  • those with long-term bleeding, and

  • the dead.

Jesus showed compassion to people in need. But the religious leaders reacted with anger and opposition. Jesus called his followers to respond with faith and to walk in discipleship (living as his learners and followers).

Theme notes and profiles

The Son of Man

Events

Parallels

Luke 9:57–62 Luke 14:25–33 John 6:59–66

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Apothegm Birds Gospel of Matthew Head Heal, Healing Jesus Christ John the Baptist Miracle Son of Man

Topics

Birds: Called: Birds of the Air Birds: Make, and Dwell in Nests Birds: Nests of Character of Christ: Self-Denying Character: Instability of Crows Fox: Dens of Foxes Helping the Homeless Homelessness Instability: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Crosses Lake Galilee and Quiets the Squall Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Religious Zeal without Knowledge Self-Denial: Christ Set an Example of Self-Denial: General Scriptures Concerning The Fox: Dwells in Holes The Human Nature of Christ: Attested by Himself The Poor: Christ Lived As One of