24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.(A) 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.(B) 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man(C) is going to come(D) in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.(E)

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 16:25 The Greek word means either life or soul; also in verse 26.

24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

27-28 “Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”

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Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him (A)deny himself and (B)take up his cross and follow me. 25 For (C)whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For (D)what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or (E)what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 (F)For the Son of Man is going to come with (G)his angels in the glory of his Father, and (H)then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not (I)taste death (J)until they see the Son of Man (K)coming in his kingdom.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 16:25 The same Greek word can mean either soul or life, depending on the context; twice in this verse and twice in verse 26