Devine Scripture

Mark 8:35

What does Mark 8:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 8:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 8:35 means

Jesus taught that whoever tries to save their life, meaning living for worldly self-preservation and comfort, will ultimately lose it spiritually. Conversely, whoever loses their life for His sake and the gospel's sake, in selfless devotion and obedience, will truly save it, gaining eternal life. This paradox emphasizes the eternal value of the soul over temporary worldly existence and calls for a radical reordering of priorities.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Whoever has a desire to keep his life, will have it taken from him; and whoever gives up his life because of me and the good news, will keep it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for whoever may will to save his life shall lose it; and whoever may lose his life for my sake and for the good news' sake, he shall save it;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel shall save it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For whosoever shall desire to save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it.

Context

This verse elaborates on the principle of self-denial and cross-bearing, providing the ultimate consequence of these choices. It directly follows Jesus' call to take up one's cross and precedes rhetorical questions about the value of the soul, underscoring the eternal stakes involved in choosing to follow Christ.

v.34And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

v.35This passage

v.36For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

Cross references

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

  • Luke 17:33

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

  • Acts 20:24

    But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

  • Matthew 19:29

    And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:23

    And I do all things for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.

  • 2 Timothy 4:6

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

  • Matthew 5:10

    Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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