Read & explore together
Take Up Your Cross
Jesus calls people who want to come after him to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he explains the cost of that call and why it matters.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
These verses record one shared teaching from Jesus in three Gospel accounts. He calls people to follow him, explains losing and saving life, asks about gaining the world while forfeiting life or self, and ends with words about his coming glory and God’s Kingdom.
Matthew 16:24–28; Mark 8:34–38; Luke 9:23–27Main takeaway
Jesus teaches that following him requires real self-denial now, viewed in the light of the true value of life and the Son of Man’s coming glory.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Jesus calls people to come after himIn each account, Jesus speaks to anyone who desires to come after him. He names three connected actions: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.
Explanation
In each account, Jesus speaks to anyone who desires to come after him. He names three connected actions: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. Following Jesus includes saying no to self and going with him on his terms.
02Losing life for Jesus leads to saving itJesus explains his call with a reversal. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Jesus’ sake will find or save it.
Explanation
Jesus explains his call with a reversal. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Jesus’ sake will find or save it. Mark adds “and the sake of the Good News”, linking this loss to loyalty to Jesus and his message.
03The world cannot repay a forfeited lifeJesus asks what profit there is in gaining the whole world while forfeiting life. Luke says “his own self”, sharpening the personal cost.
Explanation
Jesus asks what profit there is in gaining the whole world while forfeiting life. Luke says “his own self”, sharpening the personal cost. Jesus then asks what anyone could give in exchange for life. Even the whole world cannot compensate for that loss.
04Being ashamed of Jesus brings a future warningMark and Luke warn about being ashamed of Jesus and of his words. Mark says this happens “in this adulterous and sinful generation”.
Explanation
Mark and Luke warn about being ashamed of Jesus and of his words. Mark says this happens “in this adulterous and sinful generation”. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all connect that choice to the Son of Man coming in glory with angels.
05Some would see the Kingdom before deathMatthew says some standing there would not taste death until they saw the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.
Explanation
Matthew says some standing there would not taste death until they saw the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom. Luke says until they saw God’s Kingdom. The passage leaves this as a solemn assurance linked to Jesus’ teaching about following him and his future glory.
Read the accounts alongside one another
Keep each reading’s setting and wording in view.
Scroll across to compare the readings.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What three actions does Jesus name for anyone who wants to come after him?
Look for the repeated command in all three accounts and list each action.
02How does Jesus describe the difference between trying to save life and losing life for his sake?
Compare the reversal in each Gospel, and notice that Mark also mentions the sake of the Good News.
03How do the sayings about gaining the world, being ashamed of Jesus, and the Son of Man coming in glory fit together?
Stay close to the wording about forfeiting life or self, being ashamed of Jesus and his words, and the Son of Man coming in glory.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Matthew 16:24–28
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will give to everyone according to his deeds.
28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Mark 8:34–38
34He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.
36For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
37For what will a man give in exchange for his life?
38For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Luke 9:23–27
23He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
24For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake will save it.
25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
26For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
27But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see God’s Kingdom.”