What does the Bible say about carrying the cross?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• John 19:17

  He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called "The Place of a Skull," which is called in Hebrew, "Golgotha,"

• Luke 9:23

  He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

• Matthew 27:32

  As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.

• John 16:1-33

  [1] "These things have I spoken to you, so that you wouldn't be caused to stumble. [2] They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. [3] They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. [4] But I have told you these things, so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn't tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. [5] But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' [6] But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; [9] about sin, because they don't believe in me; [10] about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won't see me any more; [11] about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged. [12] "I have yet many things to tell you, but you can't bear them now. [13] However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you. [15] All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you. [16] A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me." [17] Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you won't see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;' and, 'Because I go to the Father?'" [18] They said therefore, "What is this that he says, 'A little while?' We don't know what he is saying." [19] Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, "Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, 'A little while, and you won't see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?' [20] Most assuredly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. [21] A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn't remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. [22] Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. [23] "In that day you will ask me no questions. Most assuredly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. [24] Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. [25] I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. [26] In that day you will ask in my name; and I don't say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you, [27] for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God. [28] I came out from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father." [29] His disciples said to him, "Behold, now you speak plainly, and speak no figures of speech. [30] Now we know that you know all things, and don't need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came forth from God." [31] Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? [32] Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. [33] I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world."

• Luke 14:27

  Whoever doesn't bear his own cross, and come after me, can't be my disciple.

• Mark 15:21

  They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

• Luke 23:26

  When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.

• Matthew 27:31-32

  [31] When they had mocked him, they took the robe off of him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. [32] As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.

Related topics

• cross
• the cross
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