Matthew 16:25
What does Matthew 16:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 16:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 16:25 means
Jesus explains the paradox of true life: "For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it." This profound statement reveals that clinging to one's earthly life, seeking self-preservation or worldly success above all else, ultimately leads to spiritual loss. Conversely, those who willingly surrender their lives—their ambitions, comforts, and even physical existence—for the sake of Christ and His Gospel will ultimately find true, eternal life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because whoever has a desire to keep his life safe will have it taken from him; but whoever gives up his life because of me, will have it given back to him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for whoever may will to save his life, shall lose it, and whoever may lose his life for my sake shall find it,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For whosoever shall desire to save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Context
This verse provides the spiritual rationale behind the call to self-denial and cross-bearing from the previous verse. It explains the eternal consequences of choosing a worldly life over a Christ-centered one. This paradox sets the stage for Jesus' rhetorical questions about the incomparable value of the soul in the verses that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 4:14
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
- Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
- 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.
- Luke 17:33
Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
- 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.
- Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
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