Luke 9:23

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Then He said to everyone, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities, with all their difficulties] everyday, and [then he can] become my follower.

Cross References

Romans 8:13

for if you people live under [the control of] the flesh, you must die [spiritually]; but if you put to death [i.e., stop practicing] the [sinful] habits of the body by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, you will live [spiritually].

Colossians 3:5

So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing] the desires of your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry.

2 Timothy 3:12

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in [the service of] Christ will be persecuted.

Titus 2:12

It instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly desires and to live sensible, righteous and godly lives in this present age,

Hebrews 13:13

So, we should go out to Him, outside of the camp [Note: This probably signifies separating from the whole system of Judaism, as well as full commitment to Christ], bearing the abuse that He suffered.