Matthew 16:24–26

16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower,32 he must deny33 himself, take up his cross,34 and follow me. 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life35 will lose it,36 but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 16:26 For what does it benefit a person37 if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?

32	tn Grk “to come after me.”
33	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.
34	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.
35	tn Or “soul” (throughout vv. 25–26).
36	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.
37	tn Grk “a man,” but ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used in a generic sense here to refer to both men and women.