Matthew 16:24

New English Translation

²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower,^[a] he must deny^[b] himself, take up his cross,^[c] and follow me.

Matthew 16:24 tn Grk “to come after me.”
Matthew 16:24 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.
Matthew 16:24 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.

New English Translation (NET)