What Does the Bible Say About the Cross? 12 Powerful Verses

Mark 8:34

ESVAnd calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
KJVAnd when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
NASBAnd He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
NIVThen he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
NLTThen, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

1 Corinthians 1:18

ESVFor the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
KJVFor the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
NASBFor the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
NIVFor the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
NLTThe message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

Also see Bible verses about truthfulness

John 3:16

ESV“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
KJVFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
NASB“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
NIVFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
NLT“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Galatians 2:20

ESVI have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
KJVI am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
NASB“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
NIVI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
NLTMy old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Also see Bible verses about angels

Matthew 10:38

ESVAnd whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
KJVAnd he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
NASB“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
NIVWhoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
NLTIf you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.

Hebrews 12:2

ESVLooking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
KJVLooking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NASBfixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NIVfixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NLTWe do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Also see Bible verses about loving yourself

Luke 14:27

ESVWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
KJVAnd whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
NASB“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
NIVAnd whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
NLTAnd if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

Romans 5:8

ESVbut God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
KJVBut God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
NASBBut God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
NIVBut God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
NLTBut God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Also see Bible verses about truth

Colossians 2:14

ESVBy canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
KJVBlotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
NASBhaving canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
NIVhaving canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
NLTHe canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

Mark 15:30

ESVSave yourself, and come down from the cross!”
KJVSave thyself, and come down from the cross.
NASBsave Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
NIVcome down from the cross and save yourself!”
NLTWell then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

Philippians 2:8

ESVAnd being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
KJVAnd being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
NASBBeing found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
NIVAnd being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
NLThe humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Romans 6:23

ESVFor the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
KJVFor the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
NASBFor the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NIVFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NLTFor the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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