Matthew Chapter 16 · Verse 24

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

Τότε Then G5119
Τότε Then
Strong's: G5119
Word #: 1 of 23
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 3 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἶπεν said G2036
εἶπεν said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 4 of 23
to speak or say (by word or writing)
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαθηταῖς disciples G3101
μαθηταῖς disciples
Strong's: G3101
Word #: 6 of 23
a learner, i.e., pupil
αὐτοῦ G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's: G846
Word #: 7 of 23
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
Εἴ G1487
Εἴ
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 8 of 23
if, whether, that, etc
τις G5100
τις
Strong's: G5100
Word #: 9 of 23
some or any person or object
θέλει man will G2309
θέλει man will
Strong's: G2309
Word #: 10 of 23
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ὀπίσω after G3694
ὀπίσω after
Strong's: G3694
Word #: 11 of 23
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
μου me G3450
μου me
Strong's: G3450
Word #: 12 of 23
of me
ἐλθεῖν come G2064
ἐλθεῖν come
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 13 of 23
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἀπαρνησάσθω let him deny G533
ἀπαρνησάσθω let him deny
Strong's: G533
Word #: 14 of 23
to deny utterly, i.e., disown, abstain
ἑαυτὸν himself G1438
ἑαυτὸν himself
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 15 of 23
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 16 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀράτω take up G142
ἀράτω take up
Strong's: G142
Word #: 17 of 23
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
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σταυρὸν cross G4716
σταυρὸν cross
Strong's: G4716
Word #: 19 of 23
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.,
αὐτοῦ G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's: G846
Word #: 20 of 23
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
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 21 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀκολουθείτω follow G190
ἀκολουθείτω follow
Strong's: G190
Word #: 22 of 23
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
μοι me G3427
μοι me
Strong's: G3427
Word #: 23 of 23
to me

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus defines discipleship costs: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me' (Greek: εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι, 'if anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'). Three imperatives:

  1. 'deny himself' (ἀπαρνέομαι) - refuse self as ultimate authority
  2. 'take up cross' - embrace suffering, even martyrdom
  3. 'follow me' - obedient discipleship.

The cross wasn't yet crucifixion symbol but Roman execution method. Jesus demands radical self-surrender, anticipating His own death.

Historical Context

Roman crucifixion was public, shameful execution reserved for rebels and slaves. Condemned prisoners carried their crossbeam to execution sites. Jesus' original audience understood this literally - discipleship might mean martyrdom. Within decades, Christians faced literal cross-bearing (Peter crucified upside down, tradition says). The command challenged disciples who wanted messianic triumph without suffering. Self-denial contradicted honor-shame culture valuing self-assertion and family loyalty. Early Christians embraced martyrdom, fulfilling literal cross-bearing.

Questions for Reflection