Luke 9:24
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
θέλῃ
will
G2309
θέλῃ
will
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
4 of 22
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
6 of 22
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
αὐτήν
it
G846
αὐτήν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 22
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
σώσει
save
G4982
σώσει
save
Strong's:
G4982
Word #:
8 of 22
to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
G622
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
9 of 22
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
αὐτήν
it
G846
αὐτήν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 22
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
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
G622
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
14 of 22
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
16 of 22
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
αὐτήν
it
G846
αὐτήν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 22
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
οὗτος
the same
G3778
οὗτος
the same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
20 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Cross References
Luke 17:33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve 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.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.Revelation 12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.Hebrews 11:35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Historical Context
This statement immediately follows Jesus' call to take up the cross daily (v. 23). First-century hearers knew 'losing life' could mean literal martyrdom. Early Christians faced exactly this choice—save physical life by denying Christ or lose it by confessing Him. Paradoxically, martyrs gained eternal life while apostates lost it. The principle applies beyond martyrdom—daily dying to self-will and living for Christ's purposes results in abundant life. Conversely, living for self—even achieving worldly success—results in spiritual loss. Jesus' own death and resurrection embodied this principle—He lost His life and gained resurrection glory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the paradox of losing life to save it contradict worldly wisdom about self-preservation and success?
- In what practical ways does this principle apply beyond literal martyrdom to daily Christian living?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus declares a paradox: 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.' The Greek 'psychē' (ψυχή) means life/soul. Attempts to preserve life through self-protection, self-indulgence, or self-advancement result in losing true life. Conversely, losing life—dying to self, sacrificing for Christ, prioritizing kingdom over comfort—results in gaining true, eternal life. This counterintuitive principle inverts worldly wisdom. Self-preservation destroys; self-sacrifice saves. The cross demonstrates this—Jesus lost His life to save ours.