“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 KJV

“The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”  Matthew 8:20 NASB

This is the first mention and use of the title “Son of Man.” It is a title which, among other truths, links the Lord Jesus with Psalm 8 and His right to reign over all the earth. Yet the One Who had the right to reign (and Who will one day reign), willingly moved here without a place to lay His head.

The birds – insignificant, according to Matthew 6:26, and the foxes of the field – undesirable, according to Song of Songs 2:15, all find a place to call “home.” But He was the stranger in the world He had made. As Creator, He cared more for the comfort of His creatures, than for His own comfort.

It is often pointed out that the expression in John 19:30 when on the cross “He bowed His head,” actually uses the same word as is in our verse. He finally found a place to “lay” His head.

Questions to Consider:

  1. What is significant about this being the first mention of the title, “Son of Man?”
  2. Was the Lord Jesus expressing self-pity in His words or was He speaking for the benefit of a would-be follower?
  3. What do you think is suggested by the fact that the One Who did not have a place to lay His head, is seen in the next verses (vv 23-26) as sleeping in the ship and rising to control nature?
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