Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 16:24-28

"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. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds. Verily I say unto you, there are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." — Matthew 16:24-28 (ASV)

A true disciple of Christ is one who follows him in duty, and will follow him to glory. He is one who walks in the same way Christ walked, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps, wherever he goes. Let him deny himself. If self-denial is a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practiced to redeem us and to teach us. Let him take up his cross. The cross here stands for every trouble that befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another's cross better than our own; but what is appointed for us is best, and we ought to make the best of it.

We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are in our way. If anyone wishes to have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. If all worldly things are worthless when compared with the life of the body, how much more powerful is the same argument concerning the soul and its state of never-ending happiness or misery!

Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain or the most worthless indulgence, indeed, often from mere sloth and negligence. Whatever is the object for which people forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more than all the world. This is Christ's judgment on the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it.

The dying transgressor cannot purchase one hour's respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul. Let us then learn to value our souls rightly, and Christ as the only Savior of them.