35 For whoever wants to save their life[1]will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Other Translations of Mark 8:35

King James Version

35 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.

English Standard Version

35 For whoever would save his lifeThe same Greek word can mean either soul or life, depending on the context; twice in this verse and once in verse 36 and once in verse 37 will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

The Message

35 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.

New King James Version

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

New Living Translation

35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 8:35

Commentary on Mark 8:34-38

(Read Mark 8:34-38)

Frequent notice is taken of the great flocking there was to Christ for help in various cases. All are concerned to know this, if they expect him to heal their souls. They must not indulge the ease of the body. As the happiness of heaven with Christ, is enough to make up for the loss of life itself for him, so the gain of all the world in sin, will not make up for the ruin of the soul by sin. And there is a day coming, when the cause of Christ will appear as glorious, as some now think it mean and contemptible. May we think of that season, and view every earthly object as we shall do at that great day.