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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/16-25.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/40_Mat_16_25.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 16:25 - Take Up Your Cross" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/16-25.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/16-25.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 25</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/16-24.htm" title="Matthew 16:24">◄</a> Matthew 16:25 <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm" title="Matthew 16:26">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/16.htm">New International Version</a> For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. <a href="/nlt/matthew/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. <a href="/esv/matthew/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. <a href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/blb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For whoever might desire to save his life will lose it; but whoever might lose his life on account of Me will find it. <a href="/kjv/matthew/16.htm">King James Bible</a> For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/16.htm">New King James Version</a> For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/nasb/matthew/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. <a href="/lsb/matthew/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/amp/matthew/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. <a href="/csb/matthew/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. <a href="/asv/matthew/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. <a href="/cev/matthew/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it. <a href="/erv/matthew/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. <a href="/gwt/matthew/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them. <a href="/gnt/matthew/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. <a href="/isv/matthew/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it, <a href="/msb/matthew/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/net/matthew/16.htm">NET Bible</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. <a href="/nheb/matthew/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. <a href="/wbt/matthew/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For whoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it. <a href="/wey/matthew/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. <a href="/web/matthew/16.htm">World English Bible</a> For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for whoever may will to save his life will lose it, and whoever may lose his life for My sake will find it; <a href="/blb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For whoever might desire to save his life will lose it; but whoever might lose his life on account of Me will find it. <a href="/ylt/matthew/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for whoever may will to save his life, shall lose it, and whoever may lose his life for my sake shall find it, <a href="/slt/matthew/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For whoever should wish to save his life shall lose it: and whoever shall lose his soul for my sake shall find it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For whoever would save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life for my sake, shall find it. <a href="/nabre/matthew/16.htm">New American Bible</a> For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “For whoever wills to save his life will lose it and whoever will lose his life for me will find it.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For whoever will save his life, shall lose it. But whoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it. <a href="/godbey/matthew/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>For whosoever may wish to save his soul shall lose it: and whosoever may lose his soul for my sake shall find it.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For whosoever is desirous to preserve his life, shall lose it; but whosoever would lose his life for my sake, shall find it. <a href="/mace/matthew/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for whosoever will save himself, shall be a looser: and whosoever shall suffer loss for my sake, shall be a gainer. <a href="/wey/matthew/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it. <a href="/worrell/matthew/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>for whosoever wishes to save his soul shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his soul for My sake shall find it;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>for he that would save his life shall lose it; but he that would lose his life for my sake shall find it.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/16-25.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4762" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm">Take Up Your Cross</a> 24Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whoever</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelē (V-PSA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">wants</a> <a href="/greek/4982.htm" title="4982: sōsai (V-ANA) -- To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.">to save</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychēn (N-AFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">life</a> <a href="/greek/622.htm" title="622: apolesei (V-FIA-3S) -- From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.">will lose</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: d’ (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whoever</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/622.htm" title="622: apolesē (V-ASA-3S) -- From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.">loses</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychēn (N-AFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">life</a> <a href="/greek/1752.htm" title="1752: heneken (Prep) -- Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of.">for My sake</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: emou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heurēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">will find</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it.</a> 26What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/8-35.htm">Mark 8:35</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it. <a href="/luke/9-24.htm">Luke 9:24</a> For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. <a href="/john/12-25.htm">John 12:25</a> Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. <a href="/matthew/10-39.htm">Matthew 10:39</a> Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/luke/17-33.htm">Luke 17:33</a> Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. <a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Philippians 3:7-8</a> But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ <a href="/romans/8-13.htm">Romans 8:13</a> For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a> I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-15.htm">2 Corinthians 5:15</a> And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. <a href="/romans/6-4.htm">Romans 6:4-5</a> We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. / For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. <a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Colossians 3:3-4</a> For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. / When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. <a href="/1_peter/4-1.htm">1 Peter 4:1-2</a> Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. / Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God. <a href="/hebrews/12-2.htm">Hebrews 12:2</a> Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. <a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Proverbs 11:24</a> One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.<a href="/matthew/10-39.htm">Matthew 10:39</a> He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.<a href="/esther/4-14.htm">Esther 4:14,16</a> For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? … <a href="/mark/8-35.htm">Mark 8:35</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/15-28.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Find</a> <a href="/matthew/13-52.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/matthew/15-6.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Save</a> <a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/matthew/17-27.htm">Find</a> <a href="/matthew/18-5.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/27-65.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/matthew/18-5.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/matthew/17-8.htm">Save</a> <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 16</div>1. <a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">The Pharisees require a sign.</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/16-5.htm">Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/16-13.htm">The people's opinion of Jesus,</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/16-16.htm">and Peter's confession of him.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Jesus foretells his death;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">reproves Peter for dissuading him from it;</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For whoever wants to save his life will lose it This phrase highlights the paradox of self-preservation versus self-sacrifice. In the biblical context, "life" can refer to both physical life and one's soul or spiritual life. The desire to save one's life often reflects a focus on earthly concerns and self-interest. Historically, this was a common mindset in the Roman Empire, where personal honor and status were highly valued. Theologically, this phrase warns against prioritizing worldly gains over spiritual truths. It echoes the teachings of Jesus in other passages, such as <a href="/matthew/10-39.htm">Matthew 10:39</a>, where the emphasis is on the cost of discipleship and the call to deny oneself.but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it This part of the verse emphasizes the concept of losing one's life for the sake of Christ, which involves a willingness to sacrifice personal ambitions and even face persecution for the sake of the Gospel. In the early church, many believers faced martyrdom, and this teaching would have been a source of encouragement and strength. Theologically, it underscores the idea of dying to self and living for Christ, as seen in <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a>, where Paul speaks of being crucified with Christ. The promise of finding life refers to eternal life and the fulfillment found in a relationship with Jesus. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and the call to follow Christ wholeheartedly.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples, teaching them about the cost of discipleship and the paradox of gaining true life through self-denial. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ who are called to understand and live out the principles of the Kingdom of God. 3. <a href="/topical/c/caesarea_philippi.htm">Caesarea Philippi</a> The location where Jesus delivers this teaching, a place known for its pagan worship, highlighting the contrast between worldly values and the values of God's Kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_paradox_of_life_and_loss.htm">The Paradox of Life and Loss</a> Jesus presents a paradox that challenges worldly wisdom. To truly find life, one must be willing to lose it for Christ's sake. This involves a radical reorientation of values and priorities. <a href="/topical/s/self-denial_as_a_path_to_true_life.htm">Self-Denial as a Path to True Life</a> The call to lose one's life is a call to self-denial and surrender to God's will. This is not about physical death but about dying to self-centered desires and ambitions. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> The teaching encourages believers to adopt an eternal perspective, valuing eternal life over temporary gains. This perspective helps in making decisions that honor God. <a href="/topical/l/living_for_christ's_sake.htm">Living for Christ's Sake</a> The phrase "for My sake" highlights the motivation behind the sacrifice. It is not about asceticism for its own sake but about living for Christ and His Kingdom. <a href="/topical/p/practical_discipleship.htm">Practical Discipleship</a> This teaching calls for practical steps in discipleship, such as prioritizing spiritual growth, serving others, and being willing to face persecution or hardship for the sake of the Gospel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 16</a> <a href="/q/will_you_follow_christ's_path.htm">Will you take up your cross and follow Christ?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_god_show_himself_in_contradictions.htm">How does God reveal Himself through contradictions in theology?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_surrendering_to_god_mean.htm">What does surrendering to God mean?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'many_are_called,_few_chosen'.htm">What does 'Many are called, few are chosen' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) Whosoever will save his life, . . . whosoever will lose his life. . . .--There is a subtle distinction between the two clauses in the Greek which the English fails to represent. "Whoso ever willeth--i.e., wishes--to save his life" (the construction being the same as in <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm" title="Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.">Matthew 16:24</a>) in the first clause, "Whosoever shall lose his life" in the second. It is as though it was felt that no man could wish to lose his life for the sake of losing it, though he might be ready, if called on, to surrender it. The word rendered "life" is the same as "the soul" of the next verse. For the most part, it means the former rather than the latter with its modern associations, and is never used as a simple equivalent for the spirit of man as the heir of immortality. Strictly speaking, it is the animating principle of the natural as distinguished from the spiritual life. Man, in the fuller trichotomy of the New Testament, consists of "body, soul, and spirit" (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm" title="And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.">1Thessalonians 5:23</a>), the soul being the connecting-link between the other two. The truth is, of course, put in the form of a paradox, and hence, with a contrast between the two aspects of the soul, or psyche. To be bent on saving it in its relation to the body, is to lose it in its relation to the higher life of spirit; to be content to part with it in its lower aspect, is to gain it back again in the higher.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 25. - (Comp. <a href="/matthew/10-39.htm">Matthew 10:39</a>; <a href="/john/12-25.htm">John 12:25</a>.) Whosoever will (o{ ga\r a}n qe/lh"", whosoever wills to) save his life (ψυχήν). Here are set forth the highest motives for courage, endurance, and perseverance in the way of righteousness. The word translated "life" is used four times in this and the following verse, though in the latter it is rendered "soul" in the Anglican Version. The fact is the word is used in two senses: for the life which now is - the bodily life: and the life which is to come - the spiritual, the everlasting life. These are indeed two stages of the same life - that which is bounded by earth and that which is to be passed with the glorified body in heaven; but they are for the moment regarded as distinct, though intimately connected by belonging to the same personality. And the Lord intimates that any one who avoids bodily death and suffering by compromise of duty, by denying Christ and disowning the truth, shall lose everlasting life. On the other hand, whosoever sacrifices his life for the sake of Christ, to promote his cause, shall save his soul and be eternally rewarded. Shall find it. "Find," as the opposite of "lose," is here equivalent to "save." There may, too, be in it a notion of something great and unexpected, a treasure discovered, "salvation far beyond all that they looked for" (Wisd. 5:2). Says St. Gregory, "If you keep your seed, you lose it; if you sow it, you will find it again" ('Hom. in Evang.,' 32.). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/16-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. whoever ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. wants θέλῃ (thelē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to save σῶσαι (sōsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4982.htm">Strong's 4982: </a> To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. life ψυχὴν (psychēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. will lose ἀπολέσει (apolesei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively. it, αὐτήν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. but δ’ (d’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. whoever ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. loses ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. life ψυχὴν (psychēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. for My sake ἕνεκεν (heneken) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1752.htm">Strong's 1752: </a> Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of. will find εὑρήσει (heurēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. it. αὐτήν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/16-25.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life (Matt. 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