Discovery BoxMatthew 16:24 
Context16:24 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.
Matthew 18:3
Context18:3 and said, “I tell you the truth, 4 unless you turn around and become like little children, 5 you will never 6 enter the kingdom of heaven!
Matthew 19:5
Context19:5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 7
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 Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
5 sn The point of the comparison become like little children has more to do with a child’s trusting spirit, as well as willingness to be dependent and receive from others, than any inherent humility the child might possess.
6 tn The negation in Greek (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong here.
