Matthew 7:19

7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 10:38

10:38 And whoever does not take up his cross ¹  and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 12:30

12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, ²  and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ³ 

Matthew 17:11

17:11 He ⁴  answered, “Elijah does indeed come first and will restore all things.

Matthew 22:43

22:43 He said to them, “How then does David by the Spirit call him ‘Lord,’ saying,

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¹ sn It was customary practice in a Roman crucifixion for the prisoner to be made to carry his own cross. Jesus is speaking figuratively here in the context of rejection. If the priority is not one’s allegiance to Jesus, then one will not follow him in the face of possible rejection.

² sn Whoever is not with me is against me. The call here is to join the victor. Failure to do so means that one is being destructive. Responding to Jesus is the issue.

³ sn For the image of scattering, see Pss. Sol. 17:18.

⁴ tn Grk “And answering, he said.” This has been simplified in the translation.