Mark 8:34–35

Context

This saying appears in the latter part of chapter 8 of the Gospel of Mark. Near Caesarea Philippi, Peter confesses Jesus as "the Christ" (8:29). Jesus then speaks for the first time of his coming suffering, death, and resurrection (8:31). When Peter tries to dissuade him, Jesus rebukes him. He then calls not only the Twelve but also "the people" and delivers this saying. The teaching therefore places the path of suffering that Jesus himself will walk alongside the path of those who follow him. The same material appears in Matthew 16 and Luke 9. Luke adds the word "daily," and the phrase "for my sake and the gospel's" is found only in Mark.

Interpretation

• Readings that emphasize historical context: In the Roman period, carrying a cross evoked the image of a condemned prisoner being led to execution. On this reading, the verse is a call to be prepared for persecution and even martyrdom. Some scholars hold that Mark's Gospel was written for a community undergoing persecution and interpret the passage against that background.
• The Reformed tradition: In the Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin treated self-denial as a summary of the Christian life. Within this tradition, including Presbyterianism, self-denial is often explained not as a condition for obtaining salvation but as the shape of sanctification in the life of one already saved by grace.
• Bonhoeffer's reading: In The Cost of Discipleship (German title Nachfolge), Dietrich Bonhoeffer drew on this passage to criticize "cheap grace," which claims grace without obedience, and to emphasize "costly grace," which calls for following.
• Wesleyan readings: In the Methodist and Holiness traditions, the passage is often read in connection with the call to holy living and entire consecration.

Debates and Issues

• Translation: The Greek word psyche, rendered "life" here, can mean life, self, or soul. In the immediately following verses 36–37, the King James Version renders it "soul." This leaves room for differing interpretations as to whether the passage speaks of physical life or of the whole of a person's existence.
• Salvation and following: Views differ on whether following Jesus is a condition of salvation or its fruit. The passage was frequently invoked in the so-called "lordship salvation" controversy among American evangelicals.
• Application out of context: It is common practice to call any kind of suffering, such as illness or family problems, one's "cross." Some point out that the cross in this passage refers specifically to suffering endured for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. Concerns have also been raised that "self-denial" can be used within churches to demand unconditional obedience to leaders.

In the Korean Church

The expressions "self-denial" and "take up your cross" are widely used across denominations in preaching, discipleship training, and rallies calling for renewed commitment. The passage is also frequently mentioned in accounts of the refusal to participate in Shinto shrine worship and of the faith of martyrs during the Korean War.

Related Passages

• Luke 9:23
• Mark 10:38–39
• Philippians 3:7–10
• Galatians 6:14