What does Luke 9:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The "all" must be the disciples in view of the context ( Luke 9:18). Coming after Jesus means becoming a disciple of His. Denying self is more fundamental than denying things. It involves forsaking one"s personal ambitions and desires to fulfill the will of God. It means living for His sake rather than our own. Criminals going to crucifixion normally carried the crosspiece (Gr. patibulum) of their own cross. ^[1] Carrying one"s own cross therefore implied bearing the reproach and burden associated with one"s chosen way of life. To do this daily meant enduring these things as a disciple of Jesus day after day having no prospect of release in this life. Jesus meant that His disciples had to bear a particular burden that non-disciples did not have to bear. It is particularly the consequences associated with choosing to follow Jesus wholeheartedly that are in view. Jesus" disciples must keep following Him daily and bear the consequences of their choice that will involve loss ( Luke 9:24-25) and shame ( Luke 9:26) for them. The implication is that we need to do this with the real possibility of laying down our lives clearly in view (cf. Genesis 22:6). [source][source]

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Context Summary

Here and also in Luke 9:28 reference is made to the Master's prayers. He was praying alone, before He broke to His friends the death which awaited Him and in which we may have some share; He was praying, too, when the cloud of glory overshadowed Him. Would it not be well to begin this new day with the resolve to pray more! If the Lord needed it, surely we do, whether for the Cross or the Transfiguration Mount.

Into such prayer, petition and intercession must needs enter. But, ah, what prayer that is, which is neither of these, but the opening of our nature to the inflowing of the divine nature, which is Love, when the soul recognizes its oneness with God and the whole universe!

Our Lord asked these questions that He might lead the Apostles to crystallize their own conceptions in Peter's magnificent affirmation. But they who will follow His footsteps must expect His lot! First, the Cross is set up in our heart, and day by day our old self-nature is crucified there; then we have to endure for others the Cross of rejection, shame and death. But it is thus that we gain ourselves and come into possession of our own souls. If we dare take this path, neither here nor hereafter will Christ be ashamed of us. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 9

¹  Jesus sends his apostles to work miracles, and to preach
⁷  Herod desires to see Jesus
¹⁰  The apostles return
¹²  Jesus feeds five thousand;
¹⁸  inquires what opinion the world had of him; foretells his passion;
²³  proposes to all the pattern of his patience
²⁸  The transfiguration
³⁷  He heals the lunatic;
⁴³  again forewarns his disciples of his passion;
⁴⁶  commends humility;
⁵¹  bids them to show mildness toward all, without desire of revenge
⁵⁷  Many would follow him, but upon conditions