Matthew 10:38

10:38 And whoever does not take up his cross ¹  and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 18:5

18:5 And whoever welcomes ²  a child like this in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 20:26

20:26 It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,

Matthew 27:57

Jesus’ Burial

27:57 Now ³  when it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. ⁴ 

¹ sn It was customary practice in a Roman crucifixion for the prisoner to be made to carry his own cross. Jesus is speaking figuratively here in the context of rejection. If the priority is not one’s allegiance to Jesus, then one will not follow him in the face of possible rejection.

² tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).

³ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

⁴ sn Though some dispute that Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus, his actions regarding Jesus’ burial suggest otherwise.