Mark 8:35
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 25
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 25
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 25
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 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
6 of 25
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 25
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 25
to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
G622
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
9 of 25
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
αὐτήν
it
G846
αὐτήν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 25
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 25
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
G622
ἀπολέσῃ
shall lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
14 of 25
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
16 of 25
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 25
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 #:
20 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐτὸς
the same
G3778
οὐτὸς
the same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
23 of 25
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.2 Timothy 1:8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;Luke 17:33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.Matthew 16:25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.Matthew 10:39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.Matthew 19:29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.Acts 9:16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.Luke 9:24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.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.
Historical Context
Context is cost of discipleship taking up cross following Jesus. Martyrdom literal possibility for early Christians. But principle broader applies to all who would follow Christ. Must be willing to lose everything for Christ. Rich young ruler could not (Mark 10). Peter declared we left all (10:28). Paul counted all loss for Christ (Phil 3:8). Early church many martyrs willing to lose life for gospel. Modern comfortable Christianity struggles with this radical demand. True discipleship requires total commitment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does paradox of losing life to save it challenge self-preservation self-fulfillment culture?
- What does for my sake and gospel mean practically for believers not facing literal martyrdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Whosoever will save life shall lose it but whosoever shall lose life for my sake gospel shall save it. Paradoxical saying. Save sōsai preserve protect. Life psychēn soul life existence. Shall lose apolesei destroy forfeit eternally. But adversative. Lose apolesei give up sacrifice. For my sake heneken emou because of Christ. And gospel euangelia. Shall save sōsei preserve eternally. Self-preservation leads to loss. Self-sacrifice leads to life. Kingdom values reverse worldly values. Reformed theology emphasizes dying to self losing life in Christ gaining eternal life.