"Self -denial as a key to understanding Easter"

• Luke 9:23 (ASV)

---

"And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Jesus twice predicts his death. This is recorded seven times in the gospels: twice in Matthew, twice in Mark, twice in Luke, and once in John. In a number of these recordings, his resurrection is also predicted. In two of them, it is explicitly recorded that the disciples did not understand this prediction. A number also include Jesus' famous rebuke of Peter, indicating more misunderstanding. In four of the recordings (once each in every gospel), Jesus follows his prediction with the above teaching.

Given that:
1. The disciples misunderstanding is explicitly called out.
2. The reading "if any many would [follow] me, [he must...] follow me" is slightly odd.
3. The word "follow" can mean "understand"

Could a legitimate rendering of this verse be: "... If any man would [understand] me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me"?

---