Keraia
Matthew 16

Matthew 16:24

Take Up Your Cross · Matthew 16:24–28
Read Matthew 16

Translations

Modern
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Traditional
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Literal
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Latin
Tunc Jesus dixit discipulis suis: Si quis vult post me venire, abneget semetipsum, et tollat crucem suam, et sequatur me.

Original

Greek
English
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

Notes

Matthew 16:24

  • deny … take up … follow: These three commands symbolize an extreme commitment. They mean confessing sins to God with humility, giving personal goals to God, and living by his will (see also Matthew 5:20; 10:34–39; 18:1–5; 20:20–28).

  • take up his cross: This is a metaphor for devotion (see Luke 9:23). It is not necessarily a command to die for one's faith, though that is always a possibility for the disciples of Jesus (Matthew 5:10–12; 10:21).

  • Matthew uses follow both literally (see Matthew 9:19; 26:58) and as a metaphor. Metaphorically, it shows interest in a teacher (4:25; 8:1, 10; 12:15; 14:13; 19:2; 20:29; 21:9) or personal loyalty to Jesus. This involves him summoning, a response to commit, and significant ongoing struggles (4:20, 22; 8:19, 22–23; 9:9; 10:38; 16:24; 19:21, 27).

Matthew 16:21–28

Jesus was now officially recognized by his disciples as the Messiah. He then began to reveal a surprising part of his mission. He must suffer before entering his glory (Matthew 16:21–23). Those who follow him will also face suffering (16:24–28).

Events

Parallels

Mark 8:34–38 Luke 9:23–27

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Cross Crucifixion Gospel of Matthew Jesus Christ Persecution

Topics

Being a Good Christian Commandments: Precepts of Jesus--Explicitly Stated, or Implied in Didactic Discourse Cross: Figurative Following Christ Following Jesus Jesus Requires Self-Denial and |Crosses| Jesus, the Christ: Foretells his own Death and Resurrection (Near Caesarea Philippi) Martyrdom: Saints: should be Prepared For Prophet Called by God Reward: A Motive to Faithfulness Self Denial Self-Denial: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Denial: should be Exercised in Taking up the Cross and Following Christ The Example of Christ: Conformity To, Required in Self-Denial