Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. New Living Translation If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. English Standard Version Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. Berean Standard Bible Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. Berean Literal Bible Whoever may seek to save his life will lose it; but whoever will lose it will preserve it. King James Bible Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. New King James Version Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. New American Standard Bible Whoever strives to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it. NASB 1995 “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. NASB 1977 “Whoever seeks to keep his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall preserve it. Legacy Standard Bible Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Amplified Bible Whoever seeks to save his life will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] will keep it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. Christian Standard Bible Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Holman Christian Standard Bible Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. American Standard Version Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Contemporary English Version People who try to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives will save them. English Revised Version Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. GOD'S WORD® Translation Those who try to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives will save them. Good News Translation Those who try to save their own life will lose it; those who lose their life will save it. International Standard Version Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. Majority Standard Bible Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. NET Bible Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. New Heart English Bible Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will preserve it. Webster's Bible Translation Whoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it. Weymouth New Testament Any man who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it. World English Bible Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhoever may seek to save his life, will lose it; and whoever may lose it, will preserve it. Berean Literal Bible Whoever may seek to save his life will lose it; but whoever will lose it will preserve it. Young's Literal Translation Whoever may seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever may lose it, shall preserve it. Smith's Literal Translation Whoever should seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose it, shall preserve it alive. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose it, shall preserve it. Catholic Public Domain Version Whoever has sought to save his life, will lose it; and whoever has lost it, will bring it back to life. New American Bible Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. New Revised Standard Version Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who desires to save his life shall lose it; and he who loses his life shall save it. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “Whoever chooses to save his life shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life shall find it.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentWhoever will seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever will lose his life, shall save it. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament Whosoever seeketh to preserve his life shall lose it; and whosoever would lose it, shall preserve it. Mace New Testament he that seeks to save his life, will expose it; and he that exposes his life, will preserve it. Weymouth New Testament Any man who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Coming of the Kingdom…32Remember Lot’s wife! 33Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed: one will be taken and the other left.… Cross References Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Mark 8:35 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. John 12:25 Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Matthew 10:37-39 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; / and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. / Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.” John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Philippians 3:7-8 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 Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Galatians 2:20 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. 2 Corinthians 5:15 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. Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. Luke 9:24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. John 13:37-38 “Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” / “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. 1 John 3:16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. Treasury of Scripture Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 9:24,25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it… Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Jump to Previous Attempt Gain Gives Life Makes Object Preserve Preserves Safe Save Seek Seeks TriesJump to Next Attempt Gain Gives Life Makes Object Preserve Preserves Safe Save Seek Seeks TriesLuke 17 1. Jesus teaches to avoid occasions of offense;3. and to forgive one another. 5. The power of faith. 6. How we are bound to God. 11. Jesus heals ten lepers. 22. Of the kingdom of God, and the coming of the Son of Man. Whoever tries to save his life will lose it This phrase emphasizes the paradoxical nature of the Christian life, where self-preservation leads to loss. In the context of Luke 17, Jesus is teaching about the coming of the Kingdom of God and the need for readiness. The idea of losing one's life to save it is a recurring theme in the Gospels (see also Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, John 12:25). It reflects the call to discipleship, where following Christ requires a willingness to surrender personal ambitions and earthly securities. Historically, this teaching would have resonated with early Christians facing persecution, as they were often required to choose between their faith and their lives. Theologically, it underscores the principle of self-denial and the eternal perspective that values spiritual over temporal life. but whoever loses his life will preserve it Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the coming of the Kingdom of God and the nature of true discipleship. 2. Disciples The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ who are called to understand and live out His teachings. 3. The Kingdom of God The central theme of Jesus' teaching, referring to God's sovereign rule and the eternal life offered through Christ. 4. The Coming Judgment The broader context of this passage includes Jesus' teachings on the end times and the necessity of readiness for His return. Teaching Points The Paradox of Life and LossJesus presents a paradox where true life is found in losing one's life. This means prioritizing spiritual values over earthly ones. Self-Denial as a Path to Preservation The call to lose one's life is a call to self-denial, where believers are encouraged to let go of selfish ambitions and desires to gain eternal life. Eternal Perspective Believers are reminded to live with an eternal perspective, valuing eternal life over temporary earthly existence. Readiness for Christ's Return This teaching is set within the context of readiness for the coming of the Kingdom, urging believers to live in a way that reflects their anticipation of Christ's return. True Discipleship Following Christ involves a willingness to sacrifice personal desires and comforts for the sake of the Gospel.(33) Whosoever shall seek to save his life.--The better MSS. give a word which is rendered elsewhere by "purchase" (Acts 20:28; 1Timothy 3:13), and perhaps always suggests, as the other word for "save" does not suggest, the idea of some transaction of the kind. So here, the man must purchase, as it were, his lower life at the price of the higher, and he will be a loser by the bargain. Shall preserve it.--Here, again, the English verb is weak. Better, shall give life to it. The same Greek word occurs in the better MSS. of 1Timothy 6:13, and is there rendered by "quicken," and in its passive form in Acts 7:49, where it should be translated preserved alive, and this is clearly the meaning here. The man who is content to risk his natural life shall gain a life of a higher spiritual order. Verse 33. - Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Very deep must have been the impression which this saying made upon the early Church. So literally did many interpret it, that the wiser and more thoughtful men in the congregations during the days of persecution had often to prevent persons of both sexes recklessly throwing away their lives in the conflict with the Roman authorities. Very many in the first three centuries positively courted martyrdom.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Whoeverὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. tries ζητήσῃ (zētēsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. to save περιποιήσασθαι (peripoiēsasthai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle Strong's 4046: To acquire, earn, purchase, make my own, preserve alive. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: 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 Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. will lose ἀπολέσει (apolesei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively. it, αὐτήν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: 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 Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. whoever ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. loses [his life] ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively. will preserve ζωογονήσει (zōogonēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2225: From the same as zoon and a derivative of ginomai; to engender alive, i.e. to rescue from death. it. αὐτήν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. 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