Luke 9:23
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Just before this, Jesus had asked his disciples who people thought he was, and Peter famously declared him to be the Messiah. Jesus then began to reveal the shocking truth that he must suffer and die, a revelation Peter immediately tried to reject. In response, Jesus turned to both the disciples and the gathered crowd, laying down the non-negotiable cost of following him in the face of this impending suffering.
Understand the original words
arnēsasthō · Greek Verb
To renounce one's own claim to lordship over one's life. It is the act of putting aside self-centeredness and submitting entirely to the will and sovereignty of God.
stauron · Greek Noun
The instrument of execution in the Roman Empire; metaphorically, it signifies the willingness to undergo total self-sacrifice, shame, and death for the sake of following Jesus. It represents total commitment and obedience to God.
akoloutheitō · Greek Verb
To walk behind someone, but in a spiritual sense, it denotes discipleship: adopting the lifestyle, values, and direction of Jesus Christ. It implies active, ongoing obedience and identification with Him.
This passage directly parallels Luke 9:23, presenting the same call to self-denial and cross-bearing as a fundamental requirement for following Jesus.
Mark 8:34Similar to Luke's account, Mark also records Jesus' teaching that to follow Him means denying oneself and taking up one's cross, emphasizing the cost of discipleship.
Galatians 2:20Paul's declaration 'I have been crucified with Christ' echoes the concept of self-denial and dying to one's own will, highlighting the internal transformation required by Jesus' call to take up the cross.
Philippians 3:7-11This passage shows Paul counting all things loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, illustrating the radical 'self-denial' and willingness to suffer for Christ's sake that Luke 9:23 demands.
1 Peter 4:12-13Peter reminds believers that suffering for Christ is not surprising but a participation in Christ's sufferings, reinforcing the idea that taking up the cross is part of the Christian journey.
calvinLuke 9:21-27: "And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;"
- Then he charged his disciples [451] not to tell any one that he was Jesus the Christ. 21. From that time Jesus began to make known to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and be raised again on the third day. 22. And Peter, taking him aside, [452] began to rebuke him, saying, Lord, spare thyself; [45…
wesleyLuke 9:23: "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
9:23 Let him deny himself, and take up his cross - The necessity of this duty has been shown in many places: the extent of it is specified here, daily - Therefore that day is lost wherein no cross is taken up.
Luke 9:23 reads: "And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." — see the full explanation above for context and original-language notes.
Just before this, Jesus had asked his disciples who people thought he was, and Peter famously declared him to be the Messiah. Jesus then began to reveal the shocking truth that he must suffer and die, a revelation Peter immediately tried to reject. In response, Jesus turned to both the disciples and the gathered crowd, laying down the non-negotiable cost of following him in the face of this impending suffering.
Just before this, Jesus had asked his disciples who people thought he was, and Peter famously declared him to be the Messiah. Jesus then began to reveal the shocking truth that he must suffer and die, a revelation Peter immediately tried to reject. In response, Jesus turned to both the disciples and the gathered crowd, laying down the non-negotiable cost of following him in the face of this impending suffering.
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"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." — see the full study above for original language, historical background, and cross-references.
