Matthew 16:24-26
16:24 a give ... take ... follow: These three imperatives use different images to speak of the same radical commitment of confessing one’s sinfulness before God in humility, surrendering one’s personal ambition to God, and living according to his will (see also 5:20 b; 10:34-39 c; 18:1-5 d; 20:20-28 e).• Take up your cross is a metaphor for devotion (see Luke 9:23 f) rather than a call to martyrdom, although martyrdom is an ever-present possibility for Jesus’ disciples (Matt 5:10-12 g; 10:21 h).
• In Matthew, follow is used both literally (9:19 i; 26:58 j) and metaphorically. Metaphorically, it indicates interest in a teacher (4:25 k; 8:1 l, 10 m; 12:15 n; 14:13 o; 19:2 p; 20:29 q; 21:9 r) or personal allegiance to Jesus involving a call, a commitment, and great ongoing costs (4:20 s, 22 t; 8:19 u, 22-23 v; 9:9 w; 10:38 x; 16:24 y; 19:21 z, 27 aa).
16:25 ab Jesus’ disciples must relinquish control of their lives, even to the point of being willing to suffer and die for Christ. Jesus promised that those who follow him with such radical abandon, though they may suffer now, will be vindicated at the final judgment (see 1 Pet 2:23 ac).
16:26 ad your own soul? “Soul” and “life” (16:25 ae) both translate the same Greek term (psuchē) and refer to the essence of a person—the self.
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