Spoken to a man who wanted to become a follower.
Matthew 8:20 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 Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.
The vixens have dens and, the winged ones of the sky, perches. But this son of the man? He doesn't have anywhere, he might lean this head.
God is not anwhere. He is everywhere.
This verse seems to be part of a dialogue when only Jesus's part of it was captured. It has a lot of uncommon words. This is usually an indication that the meaning is humorous or a play on words. However, it can also mean that Jesus is echoing someone else's words in his reply to them.
This is the first use of the phrase "the son of man" in the Gospels. However, in the Greek, this phrase is actually, "the son of the man." The leaving out the second "the" is very misleading. More in this article about the phrase.
The last part of the verse is a complete sentence. It is not a phrase that says "to lay his head." The verb is most likely a third-person passive verb. The passive is misleading because it change the meaning of the word to "lie down" as oppose to its active meaning, "to lean." It is also in a form that means something that "might" or "should" happen. The sense is "He should lie down this head."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "foxes" should be something more like "vixens."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "holes is the word usually translated as "dens."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "air" is the word usually translated as "heaven" in the Gospels.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "have" doesn't exist in the source. There is no verb in this phrase.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "nests" should be something more like "resting place." It is not where eggs are laid.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to lay" is not an infinitive but an active verb.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "this."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "foxes" should be something more like "vixens."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "of" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "air" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "have" doesn't exist in the source. There is no verb in this phrase.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "nests" should be something more like "resting place." It is not where eggs are laid.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "place ."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to lay" is not an infinitive but an active verb.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "this."
The -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
foxes --= (WW) The word translated as "foxes" means "fox" but the female form is used so the correct translation would be "vixen." The word can be used either in masculine or feminine forms. Here it is feminine. Jesus was saying something specific. In Greek as in English, it is a metaphor for a sly, crafty man or woman.
have - The word translated as "have" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
holes, -- (CW) The term translated as "holes" means "den," or "lair," and interestingly enough, "schoolhouse."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
birds The Greek word translated as "birds" is an adjective that means "able to fly" and "winged." When used as a noun, as it is here, it is used with an article ("the"), so "winged-ones" or, "winged ones" and, more simply, "birds." Christ always uses this term instead of the more common Greek words for "birds."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
air -- (CW) The Greek translated as "of the air" specifically means "sky." It is the word that the KJV translates most often as "heaven." It means the greater universe, God's creation outside of the planet. See this article for more on these words.
have -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "have" in the Greek source.
nests; - (WW) The term translated as "have nests" is a noun primarily "camping." When applied to birds, it means a "perch" or "resting place." This is not any of the common Greek words for a bird's "nest."
but The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. It almost always appears in the second position in a phrase.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
Son - The word translated as "son" more generally means "child." It refers to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Christ also used it metaphorically to describe those that follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
man The Greek word for "of man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
hath - The word translated as "hath" (like the "have" above) means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Before the following adverb, the sense is "no where."
where -- The word translated as "where" is in a form that means "anywhere" or "somewhere."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added to indicate the infinitive form of the verb, but the verb is not an infinitive. It is an active verb.
lay - The term translated as "lay" doesn't mean "lay" but "to make lean." In the passive, as it it means "to lean," "decline," or "to lay down." It is the source of the English terms "incline," "decline," and "recline." It could be either active or passive form. It is an uncommon word for Jesus, but a form of it was just used in Matthew 8:11 to describe reclining.
his -- (WW) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." The sense here is "this head." See this article for more.
head. - The term translated as "head," it means "head" and "top" but also the completion of a thing (as we say, "bringing it to a head"). It is also a metaphor for life ("losing your head" in Greek doesn't mean an emotional outburst, but being killed).
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Foxes --= (WW) The word translated as "foxes" means "fox" but the female form is used so the correct translation would be "vixen." The word can be used either in masculine or feminine forms. Here it is feminine. Jesus was saying something specific. In Greek as in English, it is a metaphor for a sly, crafty man or woman.
have - The word translated as "have" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
dens, -- The term translated as "holes" means "den," or "lair," and interestingly enough, "schoolhouse."
and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
birds The Greek word translated as "birds" is an adjective that means "able to fly" and "winged." When used as a noun, as it is here, it is used with an article ("the"), so "winged-ones" or, "winged ones" and, more simply, "birds." Christ always uses this term instead of the more common Greek words for "birds."
missing "of"-- (MW) The genitive case of the following word requires the addition of an "of" in English.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
missing "sky" -- (MW) The untranslated word "sky" is the word that the KJV translates most often as "heaven." It means the greater universe, God's creation outside of the planet. See this article for more on these words.
have -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "have" in the Greek source.
nests; - (WW) The term translated as "have nests" is a noun primarily "camping." When applied to birds, it means a "perch" or "resting place." This is not any of the common Greek words for a bird's "nest."
but The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. It almost always appears in the second position in a phrase.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
Son - The word translated as "son" more generally means "child." It refers to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Christ also used it metaphorically to describe those that follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Man The Greek word for "of man" in the singular means "person" and "humanity" and "people" and "peoples" in the plural.
has - The word translated as "has" (like the "have" above) means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
no - The Greek word translated as "no" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Before the following adverb, the sense is "no where."
place --(CW) The word translated as "place " means as a pronoun "where?", "at what point," and [of manner] "how." As an adverb, it means "somewhere," "anywhere," and "perhaps." Jesus always seems to use it as "where." This is not the word usually translated as "place ."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added to indicate the infinitive form of the verb, but the verb is not an infinitive. It is an active verb.
lay - The term translated as "lay" doesn't mean "lay" but "to make lean." In the passive, it means "to lean," "decline," or "to lay down." It is the source of the English terms "incline," "decline," and "recline." It could be either active or passive form. It is an uncommon word for Jesus, but a form of it was just used in Matthew 8:11 to describe reclining.
his -- (WW) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") that the English "the." The sense here is "this head." See this article for more.
head. - The term translated as "head," it means "head" and "top" but also the completion of a thing (as we say, "bringing it to a head"). It is also a metaphor for life ("losing your head" in Greek doesn't mean an emotional outburst, but being killed).
Αἱ (article pl fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀλώπεκες [3 verses](noun pl fem nom) "Foxes" is from alopex, which means "fox," "Canis vulpes," "a large bat," "muscles of the loins," "mange," and "a type of dance."
φωλεοὺς [2 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Holes" is pholeos, which means "den," "caves," or "lair," referring to the homes of molluscs, serpents, and foxes, and animal homes in general. Interestingly enough, it also means "schoolhouse."
ἔχουσιν (3rd pl pres ind act) "Have" is from echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to bear," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." --
τὰ (article pl neut nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πετεινὰ (adj pl neut nom ) "Birds" is from peteinon, which as an adjective means "able to fly," "full-fledged," and "winged," and, as a noun, "winged fowl," and "a bird."
τοῦ (article pl masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
οὐρανοῦ (noun sg masc gen) "Of the air" is from ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate."
κατασκηνώσεις, [2 verses](noun pl fem nom) "Nests" is kataskenosis, which means "encamping," "taking up one's quarters," and "resting place (of birds)."
ὁ (article masc sg nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Here it is separated from its noun by a particle used as a conjunction.
δὲ (partic) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). --
υἱὸς (noun masc sg nom) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." --
τοῦ (article masc sg gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀνθρώπου (noun masc sg gen) "Of man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
οὐκ (partic) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἔχει (3rd sg pres ind act) "Hath" is from echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to bear," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do."
ποῦ (adv) "Where" is from pou, which means "somewhere," "anywhere," "where," "at what point," and [of manner] "how."
τὴν (article sg fem acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κεφαλὴν (noun sg fem acc) "Head" is from kephale, which means "head of a man or beast," "an extremity," "the top," "the capital (top) of a pillar," "the coping of a wall," "the source of a rivalry," and, metaphorically the "crowning" or "completion" of a thing.
κλίνῃ. [2 verses](3rd sg aor subj act) "To lay" is from klino, which means to "cause to lean," "make to slope or slant," "turn aside," "make another recline," "make subservient," and "inflect. In the passive, it means to "lean," "stay oneself," "lie down," "fall," "decline," and "wane" and is a metaphor for "having devoted himself to," and "wander from the right course." It is the source of the English terms "incline," and "recline."
Christ is using birds as a metaphor for angels in contrast with those foxes, the sly crafty women.
The word for "head" also means "crowning."
The word translated as "to lay" means "recline" and "put aside."
"Sly, crafty women have their lairs. The angels of heaven have their camps. However, the son of man lacks anywhere to turn aside from his crowning."
“Teacher,” I said. “I should follow you wherever when you might go.”
“But the Master doesn’t have a place of his own,” said Rocky.
“The vixens have their dens and the winged ones of the air have their perches,” the Master admitted. “But this son of the man? He has no where.”
“Come, children,” said Magdelena, the woman who had charge of us. “It is late, we had a long day of traveling. Time for bed.”
The Master nodded in agreement, patting me on the head.
“This head?” he said, smiling, “he should lay it down.”