And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

MARK 8:34KJV
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Mark 8:34 (KJV)

What does Mark 8:34 mean?

Mark 8:34 records Jesus telling the crowd and his disciples that anyone who wants to follow him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. This means choosing to put aside personal desires and being willing to face hardship or sacrifice in order to follow Jesus.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking not just to his closest followers but to a larger group of people gathered around him. He is clear that following him is open to anyone ("whosoever"), but it requires a deliberate choice: to "deny himself" (put aside self-interest), to "take up his cross" (accept the possibility of suffering or loss), and to "follow" Jesus on his path. The language would have been striking, since carrying a cross was a reference to a Roman method of execution, and would have sounded very serious and costly to those listening.

The Greek behind Mark 8:34

  • "deny" (ἀπαρνησάσθω, aparnēsasthō): This word means to completely disown or renounce. Jesus is calling for a strong, intentional setting aside of one's own priorities or claims.
  • "take up" (ἀράτω, aratō): This is the same word used for physically picking something up. The image is of someone lifting and carrying something heavy, in this case, "his cross."
  • "cross" (σταυρός, stauros): In the Roman world, a "cross" was an instrument of execution. Jesus uses it here as a symbol of suffering, shame, and self-sacrifice.
  • "follow" (ἀκολουθείτω, akoloutheitō): This word means to go along behind someone, to accompany them on their journey. It is an ongoing action, not a one-time event.

Why Mark 8:34 matters

  • Mark 8:34 clears up the idea that following Jesus is only about belief or words; it shows that real discipleship involves action, self-denial, and sometimes real cost.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus is not just speaking to the elite or the already-committed, but to anyone in the crowd who is willing to take this path.
  • In the wider context, Jesus has just predicted his own suffering and death, so this teaching connects his followers' journey directly to his own, highlighting that the way of Jesus is not one of comfort but of sacrifice.

Where else these words appear

“deny” Greek G533 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • Mark 14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
  • Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

“cross” Greek G4716 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
  • Luke 9:23 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.
  • Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

“called” Greek G4341 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Mark 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

“after” Greek G3694 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.