Did Jesus Own A Home?

People have debated for centuries about whether Jesus of Nazareth owned a house. The "of Nazareth" by which He was known is an answer, up to the time that He left Nazareth. It was customary for sons and daughters to remain in their parents' home until marriage. Jesus never married, so He would have remained in the house of Joseph and Mary in Nazareth - particularly since, as was also customary for the firstborn son, he would have had the right and responsibility of inheriting the home and carrying on the family business that was operated from it:

"^13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55 KJV)

"^6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon?" (Mark 6:3 KJV).

But the Messiah left Nazareth when His ministry began because the people there became so enraged at the Truth that they tried to kill Him.

"^4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read." (Luke 4:16 KJV)

"^4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, ^4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. ^4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way, ^4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days." (Luke 4:28-31 KJV)

"The birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head"

In leaving Nazareth, Jesus gave up all that He owned by law and custom - His home and business. His later teaching "every one that hath forsaken houses" was something that He actually did Himself. He didn't just say it; He felt the pain of it.

"^19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Matthew 19:29 KJV)

What about in Capernaum? As a well-known working tradesman, He had the financial means to purchase a home - and/or even build it Himself because He obviously had the tools and skills to do so. But He had now entered the time of His life's purpose. His ministry had just begun and His sacrifice was surely soon to follow. Perhaps the greatest logical proof that He didn't build or purchase a house (rather than rent one) was because He would soon be dead - there was no time left, for Him, for worldly homes. That is the basis of another of His most well-known teachings.

"^10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. ^10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. ^10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. ^10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." (Matthew 10:11-14 KJV)

The Followers Of Christ who were not about to be killed (many of them were later to be martyred, but that wasn't obvious to them yet) did own homes (see the Fact Finder question below) because they had families and businesses. Jesus was sometimes a guest at Peter's house in Capernaum.

"^8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. ^8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

^8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: ^8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

^8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. ^8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

^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.

^8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

^8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead." (Matthew 8:14-22 KJV)

Jesus was also sometimes a guest at Matthew's house.

"^9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

^9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. ^9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

^9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. ^9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:9-13 KJV)

Fact Finder: Where did the "church" often meet for the Sabbath?
See Houses Of The Holy