Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

◄ Matthew 10:39 ►

New International Version
Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

New Living Translation
If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

English Standard Version
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Berean Standard Bible
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Berean Literal Bible
The one having found his life will lose it, and the one having lost his life on account of Me will find it.

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

New King James Version
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

New American Standard Bible
The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it.

NASB 1995
“He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

NASB 1977
“He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Amplified Bible
Whoever finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].

Christian Standard Bible
Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it.

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

Contemporary English Version
If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The person who tries to preserve his life will lose it, but the person who loses his life for me will preserve it.

Good News Translation
Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it.

International Standard Version
The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it."

Majority Standard Bible
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

NET Bible
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.

New Heart English Bible
Whoever seeks his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.

Weymouth New Testament
To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is to save it.

World English Bible
He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
He who found his life will lose it, and he who lost his life for My sake will find it.

Berean Literal Bible
The one having found his life will lose it, and the one having lost his life on account of Me will find it.

Young's Literal Translation
'He who found his life shall lose it, and he who lost his life for my sake shall find it.

Smith's Literal Translation
He finding his soul shall lose it; and he having lost his soul for my sake shall find it.

Catholic Translations

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

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever finds his life, will lose it. And whoever will have lost his life because of me, shall find it.

New American Bible
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He who is concerned about his life shall lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it; whoever will find his life will lose it.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
He that finds his life shall lose it; and he that loses his life for my sake, shall find it.

Godbey New Testament
The one having found his soul shall lose it; and the one losing his soul for my sake shall find it.

Haweis New Testament
He that preserveth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall preserve it.

Mace New Testament
he that would preserve his life, shall lose it: and he that exposeth his life for my sake, shall save it.

Weymouth New Testament
To save your life is to lose it, and to lose your life for my sake is to save it.

Worrell New Testament
"He that finds his life shall lose it; and he that loses his life for My sake shall find it.

Worsley New Testament
He that would save his life shall lose it; and he, that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Take up Your Cross
…38and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 40He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Luke 9:24
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

Mark 8:35
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.

John 12:25
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Luke 17:33
Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Romans 6:4-5
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. / For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

2 Corinthians 5:15
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

Colossians 3:3-4
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. / When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

1 Peter 4:1-2
Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. / Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

Treasury of Scripture

He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:25,26
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it…

Mark 8:35,36
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…

Luke 17:33
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

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Matthew 10

1. Jesus sends out his apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;
5. giving them their charge, teaches them;
16. comforts them against persecutions;
40. and promises a blessing to those who receive them.

Berean Study Bible

Whoever finds his life
The phrase "finds his life" in the original Greek is "ὁ εὑρὼν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ" (ho heurōn tēn psychēn autou). The word "finds" (εὑρίσκω, heuriskō) implies a discovery or attainment, often through effort or search. In the context of this verse, it suggests a pursuit of self-preservation or self-centered goals. The term "life" (ψυχή, psychē) can also be translated as "soul" or "self," indicating the essence of one's being. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to prioritize personal gain, comfort, or security over spiritual or eternal values. Jesus challenges this natural inclination by suggesting that such a pursuit ultimately leads to loss.

will lose it
The Greek word for "lose" is "ἀπολέσει" (apolesei), which conveys the idea of destruction or ruin. In a spiritual sense, this loss is not merely physical but pertains to the eternal consequences of prioritizing earthly life over spiritual truth. The paradox here is profound: in seeking to save one's life through worldly means, one ultimately forfeits the true essence of life as intended by God. This reflects a consistent biblical theme where true life is found not in self-preservation but in self-sacrifice and surrender to God's will.

and whoever loses his life
Here, "loses" (ἀπολέσῃ, apolesē) is the same Greek root as before, but now it is used in a redemptive context. The act of losing one's life is voluntary and sacrificial, indicating a willingness to give up personal ambitions, desires, or even physical life for a higher purpose. Historically, this has been exemplified by martyrs and those who have suffered for their faith. The phrase challenges believers to consider what they are willing to sacrifice for the sake of Christ and His kingdom.

for My sake
The phrase "for My sake" (ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ, heneken emou) is crucial, as it specifies the motivation behind the sacrifice. It is not loss for the sake of loss, but a purposeful act of devotion to Jesus Christ. This reflects the call to discipleship, where allegiance to Christ takes precedence over all else. In the historical context of early Christianity, this often meant facing persecution and even death. The phrase underscores the personal relationship between the believer and Christ, where the ultimate loyalty is to Him.

will find it
The word "find" (εὑρήσει, heurēsei) here mirrors the earlier use but now in a positive, eternal sense. The promise is that those who willingly surrender their lives for Christ will discover true life, both now and in eternity. This finding is not merely a return to the status quo but an entrance into a deeper, more fulfilling existence aligned with God's purposes. Theologically, it speaks to the resurrection life and the abundant life Jesus promises to His followers. It is a call to trust in the paradoxical wisdom of God's kingdom, where true life is found through self-denial and faithfulness to Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(39) He that findeth his life.--The word is the same as that translated "soul" (i.e., that by which man lives in the lower or the higher sense of life) in Matthew 10:28. The point of the maxim lies in the contrast between the two senses. To gain the lower now is to lose the higher hereafter, and conversely, to lose the lower for the sake of Christ (i.e., to die a martyr's death in confessing Him) is to gain the higher.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 39. - Besides Matthew 16:25 and parallel passages (vide supra), cf. also Luke 17:33 and even John 12:25. Observe that in our chapter vers. 37, 38 arc equivalent to Luke 14:26, 27; vers. 38, 39 to Luke 9:23, 24; ver. 39 to Luke 17:33. A comparison of the various passages leads to the inference that the original occasion of vers. 37, 38 was that of Luke 14:26, 27, and the original occasion of ver. 39 was that of Matthew 16:25. Thus our passage is a compendium, and Matthew 16:25 is either a modification by our Lord of an earlier thought, or, more probably, another "setting" of the utterance in place of something that corresponded to it. Luke 17:33, on the other hand, may be a modification by our Lord, or an insertion made in the process of the composition of the Gospel. He that findeth; found (Revised Version margin); ὁ εὑρών: but unnecessarily, the statement is timeless, and the inherent thought of completion is contained also in our present tense. Findeth; after expenditure of trouble, and so Matthew 16:25 with parallel passages, "wish to save," and Luke 17:33, "seek to gain." Observe also the idea of acquiring for personal use common both to εὑρίσκειν and περιποιεῖσθαι (Luke). The phrase, "find the soul," occurs only here (twice) and Matthew 16:25b; cf. Hebrews 10:39. His life (Matthew 6:25, note). As the full develop-merit of personality in true independence and energy is the aim and the promise for hereafter, so its shrinking and weakening by sin ends in loss of moral independence and mental worth. Shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He shall acquire that personality of his with all its inherent germs of power fully developed (cf. Luke 21:19; Hebrews 10:39; cf. also the apocryphal legion, Σώζου σὺ καὶ ἡ ψυχή σου, Resch, 'Agrapha,' p. 145). In Talm. Bab., 'Tamid,' 32a, Alexander the Great asks "the elders of the south" ten questions, among them," What shall a man do that he may live?" They answer, "Let him put himself to death." "What shall a man do that he may die?" "Let him make himself alive." But though there is so much verbal similarity, it may be doubted whether Rashi is not right in explaining the passage as a merely worldly wise warning against provoking the envy of others by pride and ostentation.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Whoever
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

finds
εὑρὼν (heurōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

life
ψυχὴν (psychēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

will lose
ἀπολέσει (apolesei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

it,
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

whoever
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

loses
ἀπολέσας (apolesas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

life
ψυχὴν (psychēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

for My sake
ἕνεκεν (heneken)
Preposition
Strong's 1752: Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of.

will find
εὑρήσει (heurēsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

it.
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 10:39 He who seeks his life will lose (Matt. Mat Mt)