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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 9:23 Then Jesus said to all of them, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/9-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/42_Luk_09_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Jesus said to all of them, If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." /><script 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/9-22.htm" title="Luke 9:22">◄</a> Luke 9:23 <a href="/luke/9-24.htm" title="Luke 9:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/9.htm">New International Version</a> Then he said to them all: &#8220Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. <a href="/nlt/luke/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/esv/luke/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. <a href="/bsb/luke/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. <a href="/blb/luke/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He was saying to all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and let him take up his cross every day, and let him follow Me. <a href="/kjv/luke/9.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/luke/9.htm">New King James Version</a> Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. <a href="/nasb_/luke/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. <a href="/nasb/luke/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He was saying to them all, &#8220If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. <a href="/nasb77/luke/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. <a href="/lsb/luke/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. <a href="/amp/luke/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. <a href="/csb/luke/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/hcsb/luke/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then He said to them all, &#8220If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. <a href="/asv/luke/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/cev/luke/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross every day and follow me. <a href="/erv/luke/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/gwt/luke/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He said to all of them, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses every day, and follow me. <a href="/gnt/luke/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> And he said to them all, "If you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow me. <a href="/isv/luke/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then he told all of them, "If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross every day, and follow me continuously, <a href="/msb/luke/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus said to all of them, ?If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. <a href="/net/luke/9.htm">NET Bible</a> Then he said to them all, "If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/nheb/luke/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/wbt/luke/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/wey/luke/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He said to all, "If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross day by day, and so be my follower. <a href="/web/luke/9.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He said to all, “If anyone wills to come after Me, let him disown himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me; <a href="/blb/luke/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He was saying to all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and let him take up his cross every day, and let him follow Me. <a href="/ylt/luke/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he said unto all, 'If any one doth will to come after me, let him disown himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me; <a href="/slt/luke/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he said to all, If any one wish to come after me, let him deny himself, and lift up his cross daily and let him follow me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/cpdv/luke/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then he said to everyone: “If anyone is willing to come after me: let him deny himself, and take up his cross every day, and follow me. <a href="/nabre/luke/9.htm">New American Bible</a> Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. <a href="/nrsvce/luke/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then he said in the presence of everyone, He who wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross every day and follow me. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he said before everyone, “Whoever is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, let him take up his cross everyday, and let him come after me.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he said to them all: If any one determines to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. <a href="/godbey/luke/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He spoke to all, <FR>If any one wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And he said unto them, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/mace/luke/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then he said to the whole company, if any one will be my follower, let him renounce himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. <a href="/wey/luke/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He said to all, "If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross day by day, and so be my follower. <a href="/worrell/luke/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He said to all, <FR>"If any one wishes to come after Me, let him disown himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And He said unto them all, <FR>if any one is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/9-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=3723" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/9.htm">Take Up Your Cross</a> 22“The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">Jesus said</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantas (Adj-AMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all of them,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelei (V-PIA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">wants</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchesthai (V-PNM/P) -- To come, go. ">to come</a> <a href="/greek/3694.htm" title="3694: opisō (Prep) -- Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.">after</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me,</a> <a href="/greek/720.htm" title="720: arnēsasthō (V-AMM-3S) -- Perhaps from a and the middle voice of rheo; to contradict, i.e. Disavow, reject, abnegate.">he must deny</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heauton (RefPro-AM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">himself</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/142.htm" title="142: aratō (V-AMA-3S) -- To raise, lift up, take away, remove. ">take up</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4716.htm" title="4716: stauron (N-AMS) -- A cross. ">cross</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kath’ (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)."></a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmeran (N-AFS) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. ">daily</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/190.htm" title="190: akoloutheitō (V-PMA-3S) -- To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.">follow</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me.</a> 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24</a> Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. <a href="/mark/8-34.htm">Mark 8:34</a> Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. <a href="/matthew/10-38.htm">Matthew 10:38</a> and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. <a href="/mark/10-21.htm">Mark 10:21</a> Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” <a href="/john/12-25.htm">John 12:25-26</a> Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. / If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a> And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. <a href="/2_timothy/2-11.htm">2 Timothy 2:11-12</a> This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; / if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a> I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. <a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Philippians 3:10</a> I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, <a href="/1_peter/2-21.htm">1 Peter 2:21</a> For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: <a href="/1_john/2-6.htm">1 John 2:6</a> Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked. <a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11-12</a> Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a> Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. <a href="/romans/6-6.htm">Romans 6:6</a> We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-31.htm">1 Corinthians 15:31</a> I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.If.<a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26,27</a> If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple… <a href="/matthew/10-38.htm">Matthew 10:38,39</a> And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me… <a href="/matthew/16-22.htm">Matthew 16:22-25</a> Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee… deny.<a href="/titus/2-12.htm">Titus 2:12</a> Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;daily.<a href="/1_corinthians/15-30.htm">1 Corinthians 15:30,31</a> And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/8-23.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/mark/14-49.htm">Daily</a> <a href="/mark/14-72.htm">Deny</a> <a href="/luke/9-9.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/luke/5-39.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/mark/15-15.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/mark/14-72.htm">Disown</a> <a href="/luke/5-28.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/mark/10-21.htm">Follower</a> <a href="/mark/16-20.htm">Following</a> <a href="/mark/8-34.htm">Ignore</a> <a href="/mark/8-34.htm">Self</a> <a href="/luke/5-39.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/14-27.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/luke/11-3.htm">Daily</a> <a href="/luke/20-27.htm">Deny</a> <a href="/luke/9-24.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/luke/9-24.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/luke/10-29.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/luke/22-34.htm">Disown</a> <a href="/luke/9-49.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/john/13-36.htm">Follower</a> <a href="/luke/9-37.htm">Following</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-3.htm">Ignore</a> <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Self</a> <a href="/luke/9-24.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 9</div>1. <a href="/luke/9-1.htm">Jesus sends his apostles to work miracles, and to preach.</a> 7. <a href="/luke/9-7.htm">Herod desires to see Jesus.</a> 10. <a href="/luke/9-10.htm">The apostles return.</a> 12. <a href="/luke/9-12.htm">Jesus feeds five thousand;</a> 18. <a href="/luke/9-18.htm">inquires what opinion the world had of him; foretells his passion;</a> 23. <a href="/luke/9-23.htm">proposes to all the pattern of his patience.</a> 28. <a href="/luke/9-28.htm">The transfiguration.</a> 37. <a href="/luke/9-37.htm">He heals the lunatic;</a> 43. <a href="/luke/9-43.htm">again forewarns his disciples of his passion;</a> 46. <a href="/luke/9-46.htm">commends humility;</a> 51. <a href="/luke/9-51.htm">bids them to show mildness toward all, without desire of revenge.</a> 57. <a href="/luke/9-57.htm">Many would follow him, but upon conditions.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Jesus said to all of them, This phrase indicates that Jesus is addressing a broad audience, likely including both His disciples and the surrounding crowd. This setting emphasizes the universal nature of His message, applicable to all who would hear and consider following Him. The context is significant as it follows Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ and Jesus' prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection (<a href="/luke/9-18.htm">Luke 9:18-22</a>).“If anyone wants to come after Me, The invitation is open to "anyone," highlighting the inclusive call of discipleship. "Come after Me" suggests a personal relationship and commitment to Jesus, implying a journey or path that one must choose to follow. This echoes the call of the first disciples (<a href="/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19</a>) and sets the stage for the cost of discipleship.he must deny himself Denying oneself involves a radical reorientation of priorities, where personal desires and ambitions are subordinated to the will of Christ. This concept is counter-cultural, especially in a society that values self-fulfillment and autonomy. It reflects the biblical theme of self-sacrifice and humility, as seen in <a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-8</a>, where Christ's own humility and obedience are exemplified.and take up his cross daily The cross, a Roman instrument of execution, symbolizes suffering, shame, and death. For Jesus' audience, this imagery would be stark and shocking. Taking up one's cross "daily" suggests a continual, ongoing commitment to endure hardship and persecution for the sake of Christ. This phrase foreshadows Jesus' own crucifixion and aligns with Paul's teaching in <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a> about being crucified with Christ.and follow Me. Following Jesus implies obedience and imitation of His life and teachings. It is an active, ongoing process that requires perseverance and faithfulness. This call to follow is consistent with Jesus' earlier invitations to His disciples (<a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24</a>) and is a central theme in the Gospels. It also connects to the broader biblical narrative of following God, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs and prophets.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing His disciples and the crowd, teaching them about the cost of discipleship. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all who choose to follow Him. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_cross.htm">The Cross</a> A symbol of suffering, sacrifice, and ultimately, redemption. In the context of this passage, it represents the daily commitment and self-denial required of Jesus' followers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/self-denial_as_a_core_principle.htm">Self-Denial as a Core Principle</a> Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, which means putting aside personal desires and ambitions to prioritize God's will. <a href="/topical/d/daily_commitment.htm">Daily Commitment</a> The phrase "take up his cross daily" emphasizes that following Jesus is a continual, daily decision, not a one-time event. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_cross.htm">Understanding the Cross</a> In the original Greek, the word for "cross" (stauros) signifies an instrument of execution and suffering. Followers of Christ are called to embrace the challenges and sacrifices that come with discipleship. <a href="/topical/f/following_jesus.htm">Following Jesus</a> To "follow" (akolouthe?) means to walk the same path as Jesus, implying obedience, imitation, and a willingness to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Jesus' teaching here highlights that true discipleship involves a willingness to suffer and sacrifice, reflecting the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 9</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'deny_yourself'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "deny yourself"?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'dying_to_self'_truly_mean.htm">What does "dying to self" truly mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_living_for_jesus_mean.htm">What does living for Jesus truly entail?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_true_christ-following.htm">What does it mean to truly follow Christ?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23-27) If any man will come after me.--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/16-24.htm" title="Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.">Matthew 16:24-28</a>; <a href="/mark/8-34.htm" title="And when he had called the people to him with his disciples also, he said to them, Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.">Mark 8:34</a>; <a href="/mark/9-1.htm" title="And he said to them, Truly I say to you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.">Mark 9:1</a>.Take up his cross daily.--The adverb is peculiar to St. Luke's report, and at least reminds us of St. Paul's "I die daily" (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-31.htm" title="I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our LORD, I die daily.">1Corinthians 15:31</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 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. Before sketching out the life which the true disciples of a suffering King Messiah must lead on earth, our Lord seems to have given notice of one of his public discourses. Even though his great popularity was now on the wane, to the last he was evidently listened to by crowds, if not with enthusiasm, certainly with eager and impatient curiosity. The sermon, of which we have the outline in the next five verses, and the subject-matter of which was, "No cross, no crown," was preached evidently to the masses. This is plain from the opening words of ver. 23. The sermon was evidently a hard saying, and, no doubt, gave bitter offence to many of the hearers. "If any man will," that is, wishes to, "come after me, to follow me where I am going" (Jesus was going to his kingdom), "let that man be prepared to give up earthly ease and comfort, and be ready to bear the sufferings which will be sure to fall on him if he struggle after holiness." This readiness to give up ease, this willingness to bear suffering, will be a matter, they must remember, of everyday experience. The terrible simile with which the Lord pressed his stern lesson home was, of course, suggested to him by the clear view he had of the fearful end of his own earthly life - an end then so near at hand, though the disciples guessed it not. The cross was no unknown image to the Jews who that day listened to the Master. The gloomy procession of robbers and of rebels against Rome, each condemned one bearing to the place of death the cross on which he was to suffer, was a sadly familiar image then in their unhappy land. <a href="/commentaries/luke/9-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. [Jesus] said Ἔλεγεν (Elegen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. all of them, πάντας (pantas) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. “If Εἴ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. would θέλει (thelei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. come ἔρχεσθαι (erchesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. after ὀπίσω (opisō) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3694.htm">Strong's 3694: </a> Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback. Me, μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. he must deny ἀρνησάσθω (arnēsasthō) Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_720.htm">Strong's 720: </a> Perhaps from a and the middle voice of rheo; to contradict, i.e. Disavow, reject, abnegate. himself ἑαυτὸν (heauton) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. take up ἀράτω (aratō) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_142.htm">Strong's 142: </a> To raise, lift up, take away, remove. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. cross σταυρὸν (stauron) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4716.htm">Strong's 4716: </a> A cross. daily ἡμέραν (hēmeran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. follow ἀκολουθείτω (akoloutheitō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_190.htm">Strong's 190: </a> To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany. Me. μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/9-23.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 9:23 He said to all If anyone desires (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/9-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 9:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 9:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/9-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 9:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 9:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>