Luke 9:23

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἔλεγεν
G3004
he said
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#2
δὲ
G1161
And
but, and, etc
#3
πρὸς
G4314
to
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#4
πάντας
G3956
them all
all, any, every, the whole
#5
Εἴ
G1487
if, whether, that, etc
#6
τις
G5100
some or any person or object
#7
θέλει
G2309
will
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
#8
ὀπίσω
G3694
after
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
#9
μου
G3450
me
of me
#10
ἐλθεῖν,
G2064
come
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#11
ἀπαρνησάσθω
G533
let him deny
to deny utterly, i.e., disown, abstain
#12
ἑαυτὸν
G1438
himself
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#13
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
ἀράτω
G142
take up
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
#15
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
σταυρὸν
G4716
cross
a stake or post (as set upright), i.e., (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e.,
#17
αὐτοῦ
G846
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#18
καθ'
G2596
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#19
ἡμέραν
G2250
daily
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
#20
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#21
ἀκολουθείτω
G190
follow
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
#22
μοι
G3427
me
to me

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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