Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 10:38

"And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me." — Matthew 10:38 (ASV)

He that taketh not his cross — The words were hardly a specific announcement of the manner of our Lord’s death, though they imply, when interpreted by events, a distinct foresight of it, such as we trace in John 3:14.

To the disciples, this phrase would recall the sad scene that Roman rule had made familiar to them: the procession of robbers or rebels, each carrying the cross on which he was to suffer to the place of execution. They would learn that they were called to a similar endurance of ignominy and suffering. When they saw their Master Himself carrying His own cross, the words would come back to their minds with a new significance.