Matthew 10:38 kjv
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:38 nkjv
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:38 niv
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:38 esv
And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:38 nlt
If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
Matthew 10 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 16:24 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross..." | Cost of discipleship; self-denial. |
| Mk 8:34 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross..." | Parallel command on following Jesus. |
| Lk 9:23 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily..." | Emphasis on daily commitment to the cross. |
| Lk 14:27 | "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." | Direct parallel emphasizing bearing one's cross. |
| Mt 10:39 | "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." | Paradox of losing life to gain it. |
| Lk 12:51-53 | "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division..." | Resulting divisions for Christ's sake. |
| Lk 14:26 | "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother... cannot be my disciple." | Supreme allegiance to Christ over family. |
| Jn 12:25 | "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." | Radical surrender for eternal life. |
| Jn 15:18-20 | "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you." | World's persecution for following Christ. |
| Rom 8:17 | "...and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him..." | Shared suffering as a path to glory. |
| 2 Cor 4:10 | "always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested..." | Identifying with Christ's death for His life. |
| Gal 2:20 | "I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." | Spiritual crucifixion and Christ's indwelling. |
| Gal 6:14 | "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..." | Glorying in the cross, separation from the world. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." | Sacrificing worldly gains for Christ. |
| Phil 3:10 | "...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings..." | Desire to experience Christ's sufferings. |
| Col 1:24 | "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking..." | Suffering for the body of Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:21 | "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example..." | Christ's suffering as an example to follow. |
| 1 Pet 4:13 | "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad..." | Joy in sharing Christ's sufferings. |
| 2 Tim 2:12 | "if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;" | Enduring suffering for future glory. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." | Expectation of persecution for godliness. |
| Heb 12:2-3 | "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross..." | Christ's endurance as motivation for us. |
| Deut 33:9 | "[Levi] saying of his father and mother, ‘I regard them not’..." | Loyalty to God superseding familial ties (OT echo). |
Matthew 10 verses
Matthew 10 38 Meaning
This verse declares a fundamental requirement for true discipleship, stating that anyone who does not embrace hardship, self-denial, and a readiness to suffer, even to death, by identifying with Christ and following His path, is not deemed fit or worthy of a relationship with Him. It underscores the profound commitment and sacrificial devotion demanded by allegiance to Jesus.
Matthew 10 38 Context
Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus’ charge to His twelve disciples as He sends them out with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons. He warns them of the persecution and rejection they will face, even from their own families and communities. The preceding verses emphasize the harsh reality of discipleship in a hostile world, contrasting the idea of earthly peace with the "sword" of division that true faith can bring. This verse, Matthew 10:38, then highlights the absolute, non-negotiable demand for unreserved commitment to Him, where devotion to Jesus must take precedence over all else, even life itself, in light of the potential suffering and death that could arise from such commitment. It serves as a stark call to weigh the cost of following Jesus.
Matthew 10 38 Word analysis
- And he that taketh not: This phrase speaks of an action of non-acceptance or refusal. It denotes a person who does not voluntarily embrace the conditions Jesus is about to describe. The Greek verb lambanō (λαμβάνω), "to take" or "to receive," implies a conscious, deliberate choice to either accept or reject. Here, the negation underscores the active choice to not take.
- his cross: The term "cross" (stauros, σταυρός in Greek) referred to an instrument of agonizing public execution, signifying ultimate shame, pain, and death. It was a well-known Roman penalty in the 1st century, indicating not merely hardship, but the potential for martyrdom and the willingness to endure the worst suffering possible. "His" implies a personal identification with the unique burdens and potential sufferings that come from following Jesus. It's not the cross (of Christ's crucifixion), but a cross that is their own to bear in light of their commitment to Him. This foreshadows Jesus's own crucifixion and links discipleship directly to sharing in His path of suffering and rejection. For a 1st-century audience, it evoked a clear image of execution, not just difficulty.
- and followeth after me: The Greek akoloutheō opisō mou (ἀκολουθέω ὀπίσω μου) means "to accompany" or "to go along with." This implies much more than mere intellectual assent or a casual interest. It signifies a complete lifestyle choice of adherence, obedience, imitation, and submission to Jesus' authority and example. To follow Jesus means to walk the same path He walked, which includes suffering, rejection, and ultimately, a death to self. It is a commitment of life, aligning one's purpose with His.
- is not worthy of me: The Greek axios emou (ἄξιος ἐμοῦ) means "fit for me," "suitable for me," or "deserving of me." This doesn't suggest an earning of salvation through works, but rather that one is not compatible with or appropriately prepared for the radical demands of being Christ's disciple. It is a statement of incompatibility in discipleship rather than a judgment on one's inherent value. To be "worthy" in this context is to be appropriately aligned with Jesus' kingdom values, willing to prioritize Him above all else, even life itself, in response to His call.
- "He that taketh not his cross": This phrase highlights the requirement of active self-denial and acceptance of suffering inherent in discipleship. It’s a direct challenge to human comfort and self-preservation.
- "his cross, and followeth after me": This grouping connects the readiness to suffer (bearing one's cross) directly with the act of committed discipleship (following Jesus). It establishes a inseparable link between identification with Christ's suffering and true allegiance to Him.
- "taketh not... is not worthy of me": This creates a conditional statement showing that a refusal to embrace the terms of discipleship, especially its demanding nature and potential cost, renders one unfitted for genuine relationship with Jesus. It sets a high standard for entry into His fold.
Matthew 10 38 Bonus section
The concept of "taking up the cross" articulated by Jesus was profoundly counter-cultural. In the Roman world, crucifixion was a deterrent for rebellious slaves and criminals, designed to instill terror. By appropriating this image, Jesus dramatically reshaped its meaning from utter shame to a symbol of costly devotion and ultimate victory. Before His own crucifixion, Jesus’ statement was prophetic, anticipating the manner of His death and implicitly inviting His followers to share in that identification. The "cross" is thus both an internal posture of self-denial and an external readiness to endure persecution or hardship for the sake of Christ's kingdom. While often associated with extreme martyrdom, the call also extends to the "daily" bearing of a cross, as Luke 9:23 notes, signifying a constant submission of self-will and personal desires to Christ’s authority in everyday life.
Matthew 10 38 Commentary
Matthew 10:38 presents one of Jesus’ most stringent requirements for discipleship: a willing embrace of the cross. For the 1st-century audience, the cross was not a piece of jewelry but a gruesome symbol of execution, degradation, and public shame. Jesus' call here is radical, demanding absolute loyalty that transcends familial bonds, personal safety, and even the natural desire for life itself. Taking up one's cross signifies a readiness for self-denial, the embrace of suffering, identification with Christ's rejected status in the world, and even martyrdom. It means putting Christ's will and kingdom first, regardless of the personal cost. To follow Him implies a deliberate alignment of one's life with His path, which He knew would lead to ultimate sacrifice. Those who shrink from this costly commitment, preferring self-preservation or worldly comforts, are declared unfit for true discipleship, as they are not fully surrendered to the Christ who Himself bore a cross.
Examples for practical usage:
- A Christian facing social ostracism for their faith, but choosing to continue living by biblical principles.
- A disciple giving up a lucrative career path that compromises their beliefs, in favor of a simpler life dedicated to serving Christ.
- Someone choosing to prioritize Christian fellowship and service over personal hobbies or desires.