Following Jesus here represents being one of his disciples. Alternate translation: "be my disciple" or "be one of my disciples" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])
"carry his cross and follow me." The cross represents suffering and death. Taking up the cross represents being willing to suffer and die. Alternate translation: "must obey me even to the point of suffering and dying" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])