Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:39

What does Matthew 10:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:39 means

Jesus presents a profound paradox concerning life: "He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." To "find one's life" here refers to preserving it selfishly, clinging to earthly security, comfort, or even physical existence apart from Christ. Such efforts ultimately lead to spiritual loss. Conversely, to "lose one's life for my sake" means to surrender personal ambition, worldly security, and even physical life itself out of devotion to Jesus. This radical self-sacrifice, paradoxically, leads to true eternal life and fulfillment. This highlights the ultimate spiritual inversion of values in the kingdom.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He who has the desire to keep his life will have it taken from him, and he who gives up his life because of me will have it given back to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`He who found his life shall lose it, and he who lost his life for my sake shall find it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He that finds his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake shall find it.

Context

This verse encapsulates the complete demands of discipleship with a profound paradox: spiritual life found through earthly loss. It serves as a summation of the costly warnings and supreme demands for allegiance, providing the ultimate consequence of these choices. This completes the section on the cost of discipleship and then transitions to the blessedness of those who receive and support Christ's messengers.

v.38And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

v.39This passage

v.40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Timothy 4:6

    For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 16:25

    For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.

  • Luke 17:33

    Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve 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.

  • Philippians 1:20

    according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

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