Matthew 10:38 kjv — And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

King James Version

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

— Matthew 10:38, King James Version

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Matthew 10:38 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Matthew 10 — Context

35

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36

And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

37

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

40

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

41

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

Matthew 10:38 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 10:38 say?
Matthew 10:38 in the King James Version reads: “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”
Where is Matthew 10:38 in the Bible?
Matthew 10:38 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 10, verse 38.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 10:38.
What translation should I read Matthew 10:38 in?
Matthew 10:38 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 10:38?
Matthew 10:38 reads (KJV): “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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