23Jesus said to all: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [9:24] For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. [9:25] For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses himself or suffers forfeiture? [9:26] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. [9:27] But truly I say to you: there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."
LUK 9:23-27
Take Up Your Cross
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman world, the cross was a brutal and shameful instrument of execution, reserved for slaves, rebels, and the lowest classes. To 'take up the cross' would have evoked images of public humiliation and suffering, signaling a complete renunciation of personal honor and social standing. For Jesus’ listeners, this call to self-denial and daily crucifixion would have been jarring, as it inverted the Greco-Roman values of self-preservation, honor, and ambition. The term (life/soul) carried connotations of one’s entire being—identity, desires, and aspirations. To lose one’s for Jesus’ sake was to reject societal expectations of success and security. The (world) represented not just the physical earth but the system of power, wealth, and status that defined Roman society. Jesus’ warning about gaining the at the cost of one’s would have resonated deeply in a culture obsessed with material and social advancement. The (glory) of the Son of Man contrasted sharply with the shame of the cross, pointing to a future reversal of earthly values.
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How other translations render this
LUK 9:23
- KJV
- And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
- BSB
- Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said to all: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
LUK 9:24
- KJV
- For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
- BSB
- For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
- Koinōnos
- For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
LUK 9:25
- KJV
- For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
- BSB
- What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?
- Koinōnos
- For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses himself or suffers forfeiture?
LUK 9:26
- KJV
- For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
- BSB
- If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
- Koinōnos
- For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
LUK 9:27
- KJV
- But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
- BSB
- But I tell you truly, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
- Koinōnos
- But truly I say to you: there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 9:23
- cross:The word translated 'cross' here referred to an instrument of execution, specifically a stake or pole, often with a crossbeam, used for public torture and death. It evoked a sense of utter humiliation, suffering, and a condemned criminal's fate.
LUK 9:24
- life:The term translated 'life' here refers to one's inner self, their individual existence, or their very being, often encompassing their desires, personality, and the animating principle of their physical body.
LUK 9:25
- world:The word translated 'world' here can refer to the created universe, but in this context, it often carries the sense of human society and its values, particularly those that are opposed to God's will.
LUK 9:26
- glory:The word translated 'glory' carried a sense of visible splendor, honor, and reputation, often associated with a divine manifestation or the esteemed status of a person.