Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 16:24

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." — Matthew 16:24 (ASV)

Though addressed to Jesus’ “disciples” , the thought is expressed in widest terms—“if anyone.” As in 10:33, Jesus speaks of “disowning” or “renouncing” oneself. The Jews renounced the Messiah (Acts 3:14); his followers renounce themselves (cf. Romans 14:7–9; 15:2–3). They “take up their cross” . Though Jesus does not explicitly mention the mode of his death until a few days before it takes place (20:19), the impact of this saying must have multiplied after Golgotha. Death to self is not so much a prerequisite of discipleship to Jesus as a continuing characteristic of it.