Matthew 10:38 (WEB)
He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me.
Catechism · 1
“Christ invites his disciples to follow him by taking up their cross in their turn.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 10:38.
Fathers and councils · 28
John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences I–X VIII.3Conference VIII
“…“whosoever has no sword, let him sell his coat and buy himself a sword;” and: “whosoever taketh not up his cross and followeth after Me is not worthy of Me;” a passage which some most earnest monks, having “indeed a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” understood literally, and so made themselves wooden…” — editor's note: S. Luke xii. 35; xxii. 36; S. Matt. x. 38.
Read the whole comment “For so shall we fulfil the command of the Lord which says: “He that taketh not up his cross and followeth me is not worthy of me.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. x. 38.
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Tertullian
““He who will value his life more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he who takes not up his cross and follows Me, cannot be My disciple.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 37, 38.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 37, 38.
Read the whole comment“In the Gospel the Lord speaks, and says: “He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh not his cross and followeth me, is not worthy of me.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 37, 38.
Read the whole comment“Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “He that loveth father or mother above me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter above me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh not up his cross and followeth me, is not my disciple.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 37, 38.
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John Chrysostom
““He that taketh not his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me.” ( Matt. x. 38.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“For hear Him saying, “If a man take not his cross, and follow after Me, he is not worthy of Me.” ( Matt. x. 38.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And to show this, Christ at one time saith, “Except a man take up his cross and follow Me, he is not worthy of Me” ( Matt. x. 38 ); at another, “I am come to send fire upon the earth, and what will I if it be already kindled?” ( Luke xii. 49 ); by both these desiring to…” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“…that hateth his life in this world shall save it unto life eternal” ( c. xii. 25 ); and, “Unless a man take his cross and follow Me, he is not worthy of Me” ( Matt. x. 38 ); and is about to say other things besides, rebuking them, He saith, “Think ye that ye suffer sorrow from love?” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 37, 38.
Read the whole comment“And how, some one may say, is the burden light, when He saith, “Except one hate father and mother;” and, “Whosoever taketh not up his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me:” and, “Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple:”when He commands even to give up our very life?” — editor's note: Luke xiv. 26, 27, 33; Matt. x. 37, 38.
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Basil the Great
““He that taketh not up his cross and followeth after me, cannot be my disciple?”” — editor's note: Luke xiv. 27 and Matt. x. 38.
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Hilary of Poitiers
“…take his cross and follow after Me is not worth of Me; and, He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that hath lost his life for My sake shall find it?” — editor's note: St. Matt. x. 38, 39.
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Leo the Great
“…as if even then to confirm all His followers by this mere symbol of His work, and say, “He that taketh not his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. x. 38.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
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…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
For they who have esteemed domestic affection of relations higher than God, are unworthy to inherit good things to come.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
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…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
It seems to happen in many cases that the parents love the children more than the children love the parents; therefore having taught that His love is to be preferred to the love of parents, as in an ascending scale,…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
He is unworthy of the divine communion who prefers the carnal affection of kindred to the spiritual love of God.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Then that those to whom the love of God is preferred should not be offended thereat, He leads them to a higher doctrine. Nothing is nearer to a man than his soul, and yet He enjoins that this should not only be…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or; “They that are Christ’s have crucified the body with its vices and lusts.” [Gal 5:24] And he is unworthy of Christ who does not take up His cross, in which we suffer with Him, die with Him, are buried and rise…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
The cross is so called from, torment [margin note: cruciatus]; and there are two ways in which we bear the Lord’s cross; either when we afflict the flesh by abstinence; or when in compassion for our neighbour we make…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Because these commands seemed burdensome, He proceeds to shew their great use and benefit, saying, “He that findeth his life shall lose it.” As much as to say, Not only do these things that I have inculcated do no…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
The life in this place is not to be understood as the substance, (the soul,) but as this present state of being; and the sense is, He who findeth his life, i.e. this present life, he who so loves this light, its joys…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; He who seeks an immortal life, does not hesitate to lose his life, that is, to offer it to death. But either sense suits equally well with that which follows, “And whoso shall lose his life for my sake…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
That is, he who in confession of My name in time of persecution despises this temporal world, its joys, and pleasures, shall find eternal salvation for his soul.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Thus the gain of life brings death, the loss of life brings salvation; for by the sacrifice of this short life we gain the reward of immortality.
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Cross-references · 14
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Catechism §1506.
Cited together in Catechism §1506.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VIII.3.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25 and 2 other places.
Cited together in Exhortation to Martyrdom, Addressed to Fortunatus Chapter 7 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Exhortation to Martyrdom, Addressed to Fortunatus Chapter 7 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews III.19 and 1 other place.
Cited together in John Chrysostom on Matthew 10:37–39 (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.