Why is reading a daily Bible verse important?

Reading a daily Bible verse helps you focus on God's word, offering spiritual guidance and encouragement for the day ahead.

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Set aside a few moments each morning or evening to read and reflect on a verse. You can also sign up for our daily verse email to make it a consistent habit.

How can I use today's verse in my prayer?

You can include the verse in your prayer by thanking God for its message, asking Him for guidance to apply it in your life, or meditating on how it speaks to your current circumstances.

Verse of the Day

Friday, August 7, 2026

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Mark 8:34-35 NIV

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Read all of Mark 8 NIV

Read Mark 8:34-35 in another translation

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Translations of Today's Verse

King James Version

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 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

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

The Message

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.

New King James Version

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 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

Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. "If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life."

Commentary on Today's Verse

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.

Mark 8:34-35 In-Context

³² He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

³⁵ For whoever wants to save their lifeThe Greek word means either "life" or "soul" ; also in verses 36 and 37.will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

This Week's Daily Bible Verses

Thursday, August 06

1 John 4:21

And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Wednesday, August 05

Psalm 34:10

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Tuesday, August 04

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Monday, August 03

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.