Jesus makes a pair of contrasts between the Jews and Himself. “He has to remind them that there are other gulfs dividing men besides the gulf of death.” (Murray)

“from below” may refer to the Josephus thought of the lowest hell where these Jews would belong with their father, the Devil, but more probably is a reference to the contrast between earthly and heavenly (James 3:15).

James 3:15  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

“of this world” carries three possible meanings:

1. Physical being. It can apply to all men in that we are born on this planet and live our lives here.
2. Attitude. Their attention may have been centered on earthly things instead of heavenly (Col 3:1).
   Col 3:1  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
3. Order of being. They are created; Jesus is not. He is of a much higher order of being than they (which would greatly hinder their ability to follow Him.)

Jesus may be speaking of all three, but His focus is on their worldly way of thinking. It, in turn, has three facets:

1. They refuse to accept the concept of grace. They hold fast to earned righteousness through keeping the Law and cannot even understand what Jesus is telling them (Mat 13:19).
2. The fear of others or of what other people may be thinking of them (Mat 13:20-21).
3. They valued wealth, comfort, and position (Mat 13:22).

Mat 13:19  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21  But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22  The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

This worldly way of thinking was the reason they could not follow Christ. What about you? Do you indulge in a worldly way of thinking? If so, it will greatly hinder your ability to follow Jesus.