23 And he said unto all, 'If any one doth will to come after me, let him disown himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me; 24 for whoever may will to save his life, shall lose it, and whoever may lose his life for my sake, he shall save it; 25 for what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having lost or having forfeited himself? 26 'For whoever may be ashamed of me, and of my words, of this one shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he may come in his glory, and the Father's, and the holy messengers'; 27 and I say to you, truly, there are certain of those here standing, who shall not taste of death till they may see the reign of God.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:23-27
Commentary on Luke 9:18-27
(Read Luke 9:18-27)
It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus discourses concerning his own sufferings and death. And so far must his disciples be from thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty; and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it is well or ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.