SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:34
Y llamando a la multitud con sus discípulos, les dijo: Cualquiera que quisiere venir en pos de mí, niguese a sí mismo, y tome su madero, y sígame.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Mark 8:34
Verse 34. Whosoever will come after me] It seems that Christ formed, on the proselytism of the Jews, the principal qualities which he required in the proselytes of his covenant. The first condition of proselytism among the Jews was, that he that came to embrace their religion should come voluntarily, and that neither force nor influence should be employed in this business. This is also the first condition required by Jesus Christ, and which he considers as the foundation of all the rest: -If a man be willing to come after me.
The second condition required in the Jewish proselyte was, that he should perfectly renounce all his prejudices, his errors, his idolatry, and every thing that concerned his false religion; and that he should entirely separate himself from his most intimate friends and acquaintances. It was on this ground that the Jews called proselytism a new birth, and proselytes new-born, and new men; and our Lord requires men to be born again, not only of water, but by the Holy Ghost. See John iii. 5. All this our Lord includes in this word, Let him renounce himself. To this the following scriptures refer: Matt. x. 33; John iii. 3, 5, 2 Cor. v. 17.
The third condition on which a person was admitted into the Jewish Church as a proselyte was, that he should submit to the yoke of the Jewish law, and bear patiently the inconveniences and sufferings with which a profession of the Mosaic religion might be accompanied. Christ requires the same condition; but, instead of the yoke of the law, he brings in his own doctrine, which he calls his yoke, Matt. xi. x19: and his cross, the taking up of which not only implies a bold profession of Christ crucified, but also a cheerful submitting to all the sufferings and persecutions to which he might be exposed, and even to death itself.
The fourth condition was, that they should solemnly engage to continue in the Jewish religion, faithful even unto death. This condition Christ also requires; and it is comprised in this word, Let him FOLLOW me. See the following verses; and see, on the subject of proselytism, Ruth i. 16, 17.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 34. And when he had called the people unto him , etc..] Who, it seems, followed him out of Galilee, from Bethsaida, and these parts; for it was in the way from thence to Caesarea Philippi, that Christ had this conversation with his disciples; who walked together alone, the multitude following at some distance; and the private conversation being ended, Christ called, or beckoned to the people, to come nearer to him: with his disciples also ; for what he was about to say, concerned them both: whosoever will come after me ; in a spiritual sense, as this multitude did in a natural one, and which is the same as to be a disciple of his: let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me ; signifying, that his followers must deny themselves of worldly advantages, and suffer many things, as well as he, which he had been but just before acquainting his disciples with; (see Gill on Matthew 16:24).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 34-38 - Frequent notice is taken of the great flocking there was to Christ for help in various cases. All are concerned to know this, if they expec him to heal their souls. They must not indulge the ease of the body. A the happiness of heaven with Christ, is enough to make up for the los of life itself for him, so the gain of all the world in sin, will no make up for the ruin of the soul by sin. And there is a day coming when the cause of Christ will appear as glorious, as some now think i mean and contemptible. May we think of that season, and view ever earthly object as we shall do at that great day __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ προσκαλεσαμενος 4341 5666 V-ADP-NSM τον 3588 T-ASM οχλον 3793 N-ASM συν 4862 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPM μαθηταις 3101 N-DPM αυτου 846 P-GSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM οστις 3748 R-NSM θελει 2309 5719 V-PAI-3S οπισω 3694 ADV μου 3450 P-1GS ελθειν 2064 5629 V-2AAN απαρνησασθω 533 5663 V-ADM-3S εαυτον 1438 F-3ASM και 2532 CONJ αρατω 142 5657 V-AAM-3S τον 3588 T-ASM σταυρον 4716 N-ASM αυτου 846 P-GSM και 2532 CONJ ακολουθειτω 190 5720 V-PAM-3S μοι 3427 P-1DS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
34. Jesus now pauses; for what he has to say now is to be said to all who follow him. Hence he calls the multitude with his disciples. Peculiar to Mark.Will (qelei). Rev., would. See on Matt. i. 19. It is more than is wishful.
His cross. The pronoun aujtou his, is in an emphatic position.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:34 {And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples} (kai proskalesamenos ton oclon sun tois maqetais autou). Mark alone notes the unexpected presence of a crowd up here near Caesarea Philippi in heathen territory. In the presence of this crowd Jesus explains his philosophy of life and death which is in direct contrast with that offered by Peter and evidently shared by the disciples and the people. So Jesus gives this profound view of life and death to them all. {Deny himself} (aparnesasqw heauton). Say no to himself, a difficult thing to do. Note reflexive along with the middle voice. Ingressive first aorist imperative. See on Mt 16:24 about taking up the Cross. The shadow of Christ's Cross was already on him (#Mr 8:31) and one faces everyone.
