Verse 23
Luke 9:23
the cross ... The Jews, especially in Galilee, knew well what the cross meant. Hundreds of the followers of Judas and Simon had been crucified (Jos. Ant. xvii. 10. 10).
takp up his cross ... At Sephorus, four miles from Nazareth the Roman army put down a rebellion, [cf Jos. Ant. xvii. 10. 10.] sold the women and childen to servitude, and lined the road with 2000 crucified men. Jesus perhaps saw that. Certainly it must have been the talk of the time there in Galilee and Judea.