Matthew 10:38 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 10:38 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. The cross appears here before the passion narrative as the image of the total self-giving that discipleship requires. The cross was not primarily a theological symbol when Jesus spoke these words — it was the instrument of Roman execution, carried by the condemned to the place of their death. Taking one's cross means accepting the cost of the path one has chosen and continuing to walk toward whatever awaits at the end of it. Luke 9:23 adds the daily dimension: take up your cross daily and follow me — the cross-bearing is not a single moment of martyrdom but a continuous posture.

Church Fathers on Matthew 10:38

Because of what He had said, 'I am not come to send peace but a sword, &c.' that none might suppose that family affection was banished from His religion, He now adds, 'He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.' So in the Song of Songs we read, 'Order love in me.' [2:4] For this order is needed in every affection; after God love thy father, thy mother, and thy children; but if a necessity should occur that the love of parents and children comes into…
Jerome · 4th century

For they who have esteemed domestic affection of relations higher than God, are unworthy to inherit good things to come.
Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century

Yet when Paul bids us obey our parents in all things, we are not to marvel; for we are only to obey in such things are not hurtful to our piety to God. It is holy to render them every other honour, but when they demand more than is due, we ought not to yield. This is likewise agreeable to the Old Testament; in it the Lord commands that all who worshipped idols, should not only be held in abhorrence, but should be stoned. And in Deuteronomy it is said, 'He who saith to his…
Chrysostom · 4th century

Read all 13 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!