Luke 17:33
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Whosoever
G3739
ὃς
Whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
2 of 16
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ζητήσῃ
shall seek
G2212
ζητήσῃ
shall seek
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
3 of 16
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
5 of 16
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
αὐτήν·
his
G846
αὐτήν·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
σῶσαι
to save
G4982
σῶσαι
to save
Strong's:
G4982
Word #:
7 of 16
to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
G622
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
8 of 16
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
αὐτήν·
his
G846
αὐτήν·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃς
Whosoever
G3739
ὃς
Whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
12 of 16
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
G622
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
13 of 16
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
αὐτήν·
his
G846
αὐτήν·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Matthew 10:39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.John 12:25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.Matthew 16:25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.Revelation 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Historical Context
Jesus speaks about His second coming and the days of Noah and Lot (vv.26-30), warning against being caught up in earthly concerns. Remember Lot's wife (v.32) who looked back toward Sodom and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26)—an example of seeking to save one's life (clinging to the old life) and losing it. The passage warns against attachment to temporal things when eternal realities demand full commitment. Early Christians faced this choice literally—flee persecution and save physical life or remain faithful and risk martyrdom.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of your life are you trying to save or preserve that Jesus might be calling you to lose for His sake?
- How does the promise of preservation through loss inform Christian attitudes toward suffering and sacrifice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus warns: 'Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it' (ὃς ἐὰν ζητήσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι ἀπολέσει αὐτήν, καὶ ὃς ἐὰν ἀπολέσῃ ζῳογονήσει αὐτήν). The term 'psychē' (ψυχήν, life/soul) encompasses both physical life and spiritual existence. The paradox—self-preservation leads to loss, self-sacrifice leads to preservation—appears throughout Jesus' teaching (Luke 9:24, Matthew 10:39, John 12:25). The verb 'zōogoneō' (ζῳογονήσει, preserve/make alive) suggests more than mere survival—gaining true, abundant, eternal life. This saying, in context of His return (vv.22-37), warns against clinging to earthly security rather than following Christ at any cost.