How does cross develop through the rest of Scripture?

The cross moves from a call to self-denial (Matthew 10) to the place of Christ's death, and becomes for Paul the very center of the message: 'we preach Christ crucified' and 'glory... in the cross' (1 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 6:14).

All First Mentions

Law of First Mention

Where Does the Bible First Mention Cross?

Q: Where does the Bible first mention cross?

The Bible first mentions cross in Matthew 10:38, using the original word stauros (σταυρός). 'He that taketh not his cross... is not worthy of me'—Jesus first names the cross as the cost of discipleship, long before He carries it Himself.

The Bible first mentions cross in Matthew 10:38, from the original word stauros (σταυρός). 'He that taketh not his cross... is not worthy of me'—Jesus first names the cross as the cost of discipleship, long before He carries it Himself.

The Seed of Everything That Follows

Jesus speaks of the cross first as a daily calling, then bears it as a Savior.

Explore all 100+ biblical first mentions