Luke 9:58
What does Luke 9:58 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:58 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:58 means
Jesus replies that foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head. He highlights the cost of discipleship: unlike animals who have security, the Son of man (a Messianic title) lives without settled home. This reply warns against romanticizing following; it demands readiness for instability and lack of earthly comforts. Jesus’ example underscores that allegiance to him may involve material insecurity and social dislocation. The statement calls the would-be follower to soberly consider what following entails, not to assume glamour or ease.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jesus said 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jesus said 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have resting-places, but the Son of man has nowhere to put his head.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Jesus said to him, `The foxes have holes, and the fowls of the heaven places of rest, but the Son of Man hath not where he may recline the head.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the heaven roosting-places, but the Son of man has not where he may lay his head.
Context
This verse follows the man’s eager pledge (v.57) and serves as Jesus’ realistic counter to impulsive offers. Luke places the stark reminder of homelessness to expose the practical sacrifices required of disciples. The passage anticipates further challenges to normal social obligations—burying the dead (v.59) and bidding farewell to family (v.61)—and shapes the reader’s understanding of the radical commitment Jesus seeks.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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 become rich.
- Psalms 84:3
Yea, the sparrow hath found her a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even thine altars, O Jehovah of hosts, My King, and my God.
- James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?
- Luke 14:26
If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
- John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heardthis, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
- Luke 18:22
And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
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