Luke 17:33
What does Luke 17:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:33 means
Jesus states a paradox that runs through His teaching: whoever seeks to preserve life on their own terms will lose it, but whoever relinquishes it for His sake will keep it. Clinging to self-rule and security ends in loss because it resists God’s reign. Surrender, even costly, results in true life safeguarded by God. This is the heart of discipleship—trusting Christ enough to let go. The warning about Lot’s wife illuminates the danger of trying to save what must be left. The promise encourages courage: no sacrifice for Jesus is ultimately a loss; in giving up lesser goods, we gain imperishable life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If anyone makes an attempt to keep his life, it will be taken from him, but if anyone gives up his life, he will keep it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Whoever may seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever may lose it, shall preserve it.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose it shall preserve it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose it shall preserve it.
Context
This saying follows directly on the warning about Lot’s wife (verse 32) and explains the spiritual logic behind not looking back. The coming separation sayings (verses 34–35, 36) will show how this principle works out when the Son of man is revealed: some are taken, others left. The juxtaposition stresses that what determines destiny is not circumstances or proximity but the heart’s allegiance to Christ, expressed in readiness and surrender.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 9:24
For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
- John 12:25
He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
- Matthew 16:25
For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
- Matthew 10:39
He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
- Revelation 2:10
Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to 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 the crown of life.
- Mark 8:35
For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall save it.
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