Luke 14:27

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(27) Whosoever doth not bear his cross . . .—See Note on Matthew 10:38. As now uttered, however, the words had a fresh significance as interpreted by what the disciples had heard from their Master’s lips between Peter’s confession and the Transfiguration (Luke 9:22-23). That “bearing of the cross” was becoming every day more clear and terrible in its growing nearness.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:25-35 Though the disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear their cross, and must bear it in the way of duty. Jesus bids them count upon it, and then consider of it. Our Saviour explains this by two similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. Sit down and count the cost; consider it will cost the mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts. The proudest and most daring sinner cannot stand against God, for who knows the power of his anger? It is our interest to seek peace with him, and we need not send to ask conditions of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to our advantage. In some way a disciple of Christ will be put to the trial. May we seek to be disciples indeed, and be careful not to grow slack in our profession, or afraid of the cross; that we may be the good salt of the earth, to season those around us with the savour of Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See notes on Matthew 10:37-38.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

26, 27. If any man, &c.—(See on [1671]Mt 10:34-36, and Mr 8:34, 35).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 14:25"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Whosoever doth not bear his cross,.... All reproach, afflictions, persecutions, and death itself, cheerfully and patiently; the Ethiopic version renders it, "of his death the cross"; it signifies whatever is trying and disagreeable to flesh and blood:

and come after me; bearing his cross; as Christ himself was about to do, and which doubtless he had in view;

cannot be my disciple; he is not so in reality, nor does he deserve the name.

Geneva Study Bible

{6} And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

(6) The true followers of Christ must at once build and fight, and therefore be ready and prepared to endure all types of miseries.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Luke 14:27. Comp. Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:23. He who does not as the bearer of his own cross follow me, etc.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 14:27 = Matthew 10:38, with the idea of ability substituted for the idea of worth.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

27. doth not bear his cross] Not only must self be mortified, but even the worst sufferings endured, 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5. The allusion to the cross must still have been mysterious to the hearers (Matthew 10:38), the more so since they were dreaming of Messianic triumphs and festivities.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 14:27. Καὶ) “whosoever doth not bear his cross,” and yet (not, and does not come) comes, and walks after me, as ye do, as though he was wishing to be my disciple. [But Engl. Ver. takes it in the way which Beng. rejects, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me,” etc.] Comp. note, Matthew 16:24.[149]

[149] Ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, to come after Me, denotes mere status and profession: But ἀκολουθεῖν, to follow, denotes actual obedience.—E. and T.

Luke 14:27

Vincent's Word Studies

His cross

More correctly, his own. An important charge. All must bear the cross, but not all the same cross: each one his own.