Mat 10:38, 16:24 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 38. He that taketh not his cross ] i.e. He who is not ready, after my example, to suffer death in the cause of my religion, is not worthy of me , does not deserve to be called my disciple. This alludes to the custom of causing the criminal to bear his own cross to the place of execution; so Plutarch , εκαστοςρυς κακουργωνεκφερειτοναυτουσταυρον. Each of the malefactors carries on his own cross . .

‏ Matthew 10:38

Verse 38. He that taketh not his cross] i.e. He who is not ready, after my example, to suffer death in the cause of my religion, is not worthy of me, does not deserve to be called my disciple.

This alludes to the custom of causing the criminal to bear his own cross to the place of execution; so Plutarch, εκαστοςρυς κακουργωνεκφερειτοναυτουσταυρον. Each of the malefactors carries on his own cross. See Clarke on Joh 19:17.

‏ Matthew 16:24

Verse 24. Will come after me] i.e. to be my disciple. This discourse was intended to show Peter and the rest of the disciples the nature of his kingdom; and that the honour that cometh from the world was not to be expected by those who followed Christ.

The principles of the Christian life are: First. To have a sincere desire to belong to Christ-If any man be WILLING to be my disciple, &c. Secondly. To renounce self-dependence, and selfish pursuits-Let him deny HIMSELF. Thirdly. To embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet with in walking the Christian road-Let him take up HIS CROSS. Fourthly. To imitate Jesus, and do and suffer all in his spirit-Let him FOLLOW ME.

Let him deny himself] απαρνησασθω may well be interpreted, Let him deny, or renounce, himself fully-in all respects-

perseveringly. It is a compounded word, and the preposition απο abundantly increases the meaning. A follower of Christ will need to observe it in its utmost latitude of meaning, in order to be happy here, and glorious hereafter. A man's self is to him the prime cause of most of his miseries. See Clarke on Mr 8:34.