And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
MATTHEW 10:38KJVWhat does Matthew 10:38 mean?
Matthew 10:38 means that anyone who is not willing to accept hardship or sacrifice for following Jesus, and does not actively follow him, is not considered worthy to be his disciple. Jesus sets a clear expectation that following him may come with personal cost.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples as he sends them out to share his message. The phrase about "taking up his cross" would have been striking, since a cross (Greek: σταυρός, stauros) was a Roman instrument of execution. Jesus is warning that true discipleship involves self-denial and a readiness to face suffering or rejection for his sake.
The Greek behind Matthew 10:38
- σταυρός (stauros) — "cross": This word refers to a literal cross, the Roman tool for execution. For Jesus’ listeners, this image would have been shocking and signaled the seriousness of the commitment he was describing.
- ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō) — "followeth": This word means to go after or accompany someone. Here, it implies an ongoing, active choice to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, not just a one-time decision.
- ἄξιος (axios) — "worthy": This word means deserving or fit. Jesus is saying that without this willingness to endure hardship, a person does not measure up to what it means to be his follower.
Why Matthew 10:38 matters
- Matthew 10:38 clears up the idea that following Jesus is always easy or comfortable; it highlights that real discipleship may involve real sacrifice.
- This verse emphasizes personal responsibility—each person must "take up" their own cross, not rely on someone else’s commitment.
- In the context of Matthew 10, Jesus is preparing his followers for opposition and hardship, making it clear that loyalty to him comes before personal comfort or safety.