Matthew 16:24-26

16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, 1  he must deny 2  himself, take up his cross, 3  and follow me. 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life 4  will lose it, 5  but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 16:26 For what does it benefit a person 6  if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?

1 tn Grk “to come after me.”

2 tn This translation better expresses the force of the Greek third person imperative than the traditional “let him deny,” which could be understood as merely permissive.

3 sn To bear the cross means to accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion; see Gal 6:14.

4 tn Or “soul” (throughout vv. 25-26).

5 sn The point of the saying whoever wants to save his life will lose it is that if one comes to Jesus then rejection by many will certainly follow. If self-protection is a key motivation, then one will not respond to Jesus and will not be saved. One who is willing to risk rejection will respond and find true life.

6 tn Grk “a man,” but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense here to refer to both men and women.