Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just asking us to give up bad things; the core of "deny himself" is renouncing our own will and desires, even the ones that seem good or natural. Taking up our cross isn't about finding suffering, but willingly accepting whatever God ordains for us, even if it means hardship or death, as part of following Him.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just after Peter declared Jesus the Messiah and then rebuked Him for speaking of suffering and death, Jesus turned to His disciples and the crowd. He declared that following Him means more than just acknowledging His identity; it requires a complete self-renunciation and a willingness to endure hardship, just as He Himself would. This teaching sets the stage for understanding the true cost and ultimate reward of discipleship, contrasting earthly desires with eternal life.
Jesus’ call to 'deny himself' sounds intense. What does it truly mean to turn away from our own desires and ambitions for His sake?
When Jesus tells His followers to "deny himself," He’s calling for a profound shift in our ultimate allegiance.
Renouncing Self-Will
This isn't just about avoiding bad habits. It’s about surrendering our own will, our personal happiness, and even our very lives if necessary. As Barnes notes, it means being willing to 'renounce all.' Think of it as reorienting your entire compass – not towards your own desires, but towards God's.
The Root of Our Actions
Calvin points out that this denial stems from the conflict between what is 'of God' and what is 'of men.' When our desires or plans clash with God's ways, true discipleship means choosing God's path, even if it’s harder.
A Complete Renunciation
Clarke emphasizes that 'deny himself' is a strong phrase, implying a full and persevering renunciation in 'all respects.' It's about recognizing that our 'self' is often the prime cause of our miseries when it's placed above God.
The image of carrying a cross is stark. What kind of burdens is Jesus asking us to bear, and why is it essential to His call?
Jesus’ command to 'take up his cross' is a powerful metaphor for the challenging journey of following Him.
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More Than Misfortune
As Henry suggests, the 'cross' represents not just any trouble, but the specific burdens God allows or appoints for us. We aren't to invent our own hardships, but to 'take them up when they are in our way.' This means accepting the difficulties that come with living out our faith.
A Daily Commitment
Mark’s Gospel adds the significant word 'daily' to this command. This isn't a burden to be shouldered once, but a continuous posture of readiness. Bengel explains that for those who have truly denied themselves, the cross becomes less irksome and following Christ becomes the sweetest pursuit.
For the Sake of the Gospel
This cross-bearing is not in vain. It's for Christ's sake and the sake of the Gospel. Meyer highlights that this is not about general moral following, but a specific kind of following that acknowledges the potential for suffering and even a violent death, mirroring Christ's own path.
After denying ourselves and taking up our cross, Jesus gives the final, overarching command: 'follow me.' What does this ultimate direction entail?
The call to 'follow me' is the ultimate aim that synthesizes self-denial and cross-bearing. It’s the active pursuit of Christ Himself.
The True Definition of Discipleship
Bengel distinguishes between 'coming after' and 'following.' To 'come after' is to profess allegiance, but to 'follow' is to actively walk in Christ's footsteps. Clarke emphasizes this involves imitating Jesus and doing and suffering in His spirit.
A Purposeful Journey
This isn't aimless wandering. As Meyer notes, the context demands a specific kind of following – one that aligns with Christ's path, even to the point of suffering. It’s about orienting your entire life towards His example and His mission.
A Proven Path
Calvin offers comfort here: Jesus has gone before us. He doesn't ask us to embark on a path He hasn't already walked. The 'way of sorrows' that leads to His kingdom is a path He has pioneered, giving us the confidence that He is with us, even in the difficulties.
Understand the original words
aparneomai heauton · Greek Verb
To renounce one's own desires, rights, and ego; a total surrender of self-sovereignty to follow Christ, recognizing that the old self must be set aside for the sake of the Gospel.
stauros · Greek Noun
A symbol of sacrificial, painful, and total surrender to the will of God; it signifies the commitment to identify with Christ’s suffering and to be willing to die to one’s own earthly interests.
Jesus' call to 'take up his cross' wasn't just a metaphorical phrase; it was spoken in the immediate aftermath of Peter's attempt to prevent Jesus from facing suffering and death, and shortly before Jesus himself would endure the ultimate sacrifice.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus teaches and calls disciples throughout Galilee, emphasizing the coming kingdom of God, but also predicting his own suffering and death. His teachings often challenge worldly expectations.
c. AD 30
Peter's Confession and Rebuke
Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah, but then rebukes Jesus for predicting his own suffering. Jesus sternly rebukes Peter, calling him 'Satan' for thinking humanly, not divinely.
c. AD 30
Jesus Calls for Discipleship and Sacrifice
Following Peter's rebuke, Jesus addresses his disciples and the crowd, explaining that true discipleship involves self-denial, taking up one's cross, and following him, even to death.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
Immediately after calling for self-denial, Jesus reiterates that he must suffer, be killed, and be raised on the third day, revealing the paradox of losing life to save it.
c. AD 30
Jesus Transfigured
A few days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a mountain where he is transfigured, revealing his glory to them as a foretaste of his kingdom. This event reinforces the theme of glory following suffering.
This passage is a parallel account, explicitly stating that followers must take up their cross 'daily,' underscoring the continuous nature of self-denial and commitment required.
John 12:25Jesus directly links losing one's life for His sake to finding eternal life, which is the core consequence and motivation behind the self-denial and cross-bearing He commands.
Galatians 2:20The Apostle Paul describes a profound self-denial, stating 'I have been crucified with Christ,' illustrating the depth of dying to one's old self that is necessary to truly live for Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-13This passage reminds believers not to be surprised by fiery trials, connecting suffering for Christ with rejoicing in His glory, which provides encouragement for taking up one's cross.
Romans 12:1-2It calls for believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and not conform to the world, which is a spiritual parallel to the self-denial and reorientation of life commanded by Jesus.
barnesMatthew 16:24: "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."
This discourse is also recorded in Mark 8:34-38 ; Mark 9:1 ; and Luke 9:23-27 . Let him, deny himself - That is, let him surrender to God his will, his affections, his body, and his soul. Let him not seek his own happiness as the supreme object, but be willing to renounce all, and lay down his life also, if required. Take up his cross - See the notes at…
calvinMatthew 16:20-28: "Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ."
- 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, s…
Jesus isn't just asking us to give up bad things; the core of "deny himself" is renouncing our own will and desires, even the ones that seem good or natural. Taking up our cross isn't about finding suffering, but willingly accepting whatever God ordains for us, even if it means hardship or death, as part of following Him.
Just after Peter declared Jesus the Messiah and then rebuked Him for speaking of suffering and death, Jesus turned to His disciples and the crowd. He declared that following Him means more than just acknowledging His identity; it requires a complete self-renunciation and a willingness to endure hardship, just as He Himself would. This teaching sets the stage for understanding the true cost and ultimate reward of discipleship, contrasting earthly desires with eternal life.
Just after Peter declared Jesus the Messiah and then rebuked Him for speaking of suffering and death, Jesus turned to His disciples and the crowd. He declared that following Him means more than just acknowledging His identity; it requires a complete self-renunciation and a willingness to endure hardship, just as He Himself would. This teaching sets the stage for understanding the true cost and ultimate reward of discipleship, contrasting earthly desires with eternal life.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." — Jesus isn't just asking us to give up bad things; the core of "deny himself" is renouncing our own will and desires, even the ones that seem good or natural. Taking up our cross isn't about finding…
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Last reviewed October 2026