Luke 9:23

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. [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 373.] 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).