{Take up his cross} (arat(9320)ton stauron autou). Pick up at
once, aorist tense. This same saying in  10:38 , which see. But
pertinent here also in explanation of Christ's rebuke to Peter.
Christ's own cross faces him. Peter had dared to pull Christ away
from his destiny. He would do better to face squarely his own
cross and to bear it after Jesus. The disciples would be familiar
with cross-bearing as a figure of speech by reason of the
crucifixion of criminals in Jerusalem. {Follow} (akaloutheit(935c)).
Present tense. Keep on following.