Where is it in the Bible?
Matthew 10:38–39
38Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
In other translations
- ESV
- 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
- NLT
- 38If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
- CSB
- 38And whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.
- KJV
- 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
The surrounding passage
Matthew 10:36–41, King James Version
36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Context
Jesus is sending out the twelve apostles on a mission and warning them of the opposition they will face (Matthew 10). He says that following him will divide even households, and that loving family more than him makes a person unworthy of him (10:34–37). Verse 38 is the first mention of the cross in Matthew's Gospel.
About the book of Matthew
Jesus the promised King, from Bethlehem to the Great Commission.
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