Luke 9:24 kjv

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luke 9:24 nkjv

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

Luke 9:24 niv

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Luke 9:24 esv

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Luke 9:24 nlt

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 24 Meaning

Luke 9:24 reveals a foundational paradox of the Christian life: true life is found through self-denial and devotion to Jesus. It posits that seeking to preserve one's earthly life and self-interests at all costs ultimately leads to spiritual loss, whereas willingly sacrificing one's life, ambitions, and comforts for Christ's sake results in eternal life and genuine fulfillment. This principle underlines that discipleship requires a reordering of priorities, where devotion to the Lord Jesus surpasses all personal desire for temporal security or gain.

Luke 9 24 Context

Luke 9:24 is embedded within a pivotal section of Jesus' ministry, following Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ (Lk 9:18-20) and Jesus' first prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Lk 9:21-22). Immediately prior to verse 24, Jesus issues a universal call to discipleship: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Lk 9:23). This sets the stage for the explanation in verse 24 as to why one must take up their cross daily – because the path of self-preservation leads to spiritual loss, while self-sacrifice for Christ leads to genuine life. The broader context of Luke's Gospel emphasizes the cost of discipleship, radical obedience, and prioritizing the Kingdom of God above all earthly concerns as Jesus prepares to set His face towards Jerusalem for His ultimate sacrifice.

Luke 9 24 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): Connects this verse to the preceding command to take up one's cross, providing the reasoning or explanation for it.
• whoever desires (ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ - hos gar an thelē): Implies an intentional act of the will, a deliberate choice or inclination. It's not passive, but an active pursuit. Thelei (desires, wills) emphasizes intention.
• to save (σῶσαι - sōsai): From sōzō, meaning to save, preserve, deliver. Here, it refers to preserving one's earthly life, security, comforts, or sense of self in the temporal world.
• his life (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ - tēn psychēn autou): Psyche (ψυχή) in Greek can mean soul, life, self, spirit, or personality. In this context, especially in the Synoptic Gospels, it primarily denotes one's earthly life, individual existence, personhood, and all that constitutes the "self"—comforts, security, reputation, plans. It encompasses the entirety of one's personal identity and aspirations focused on this temporal existence.
• will lose it (ἀπολέσει αὐτήν - apolesei autēn): From apollumi, meaning to destroy, ruin, lose, perish. This refers to ultimate spiritual ruin or the loss of true, eternal life. It suggests a tragic and final forfeiture of what truly matters beyond physical death, rendering the effort to "save" it meaningless.
• but whoever loses (ὃς δ᾽ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ - hos d' an apolesē): This highlights a radical and deliberate act of self-abandonment or surrender. It implies letting go of the pursuit of one's own preservation and temporal interests.
• his life (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ - tēn psychēn autou): Again, the same term psyche, but now it's about a willingness to let go of earthly life and its concerns, or to lay down one's very existence if required.
• for My sake (ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ - heneken emou): This is the crucial qualification. The sacrifice or "loss" is not for arbitrary reasons, self-harm, or general philanthropy. Its value and spiritual power derive directly from being motivated by devotion, obedience, and allegiance to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. This prevents the "loss" from being merely an act of nihilism or self-inflicted martyrdom; it must be Christ-centered.
• will save it (σώσει αὐτήν - sōsei autēn): The same word sōzō used at the beginning, but with a different and opposite outcome. This is the divine paradox: by giving up the lesser (earthly life centered on self), one gains the greater (true, abundant, and eternal life in union with Christ). It's a promise of ultimate spiritual preservation and flourishing.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it": This phrase introduces the false wisdom of the world. Humanity's natural inclination is self-preservation, securing personal well-being, material comforts, and avoiding suffering. However, Jesus presents this as a self-defeating endeavor when done apart from His will. The historical and cultural context would have included societal pressures for status, wealth, and family legacy. Jesus here directly challenges the contemporary Greco-Roman and even some Jewish ideals that equated self-interest or material prosperity with success and divine blessing. He presents a polemic against such materialistic and ego-centric pursuits as the ultimate end of life, showing that they lead to emptiness and eternal spiritual failure.
• "but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it": This forms the divine principle and true wisdom of the Kingdom. It defines what Christian discipleship truly means. The "loss" here isn't necessarily physical death, but a spiritual crucifixion of the "self" – yielding one's desires, plans, reputation, security, and will to Christ. This selfless devotion, uniquely motivated by "My sake" (Jesus), is the only pathway to gaining genuine, eternal life (eternal refers to quality and quantity). This perspective transforms the perceived "loss" into the ultimate gain, re-orienting one's entire being around God's purposes rather than human ones. This paradox underscores the radical call to a Christ-centered existence that often goes against human logic and worldly values.

Luke 9 24 Bonus section

The profound paradox of Luke 9:24 reveals a dynamic truth that transcends mere philosophical thought; it speaks to the very essence of redemption and spiritual vitality. The "life" (psyche) referred to isn't solely physical existence but represents the entirety of one's personal identity, autonomy, earthly desires, and plans. When Jesus says to "lose" it, He is calling for a voluntary renunciation of one's sovereign right over oneself. This aligns with the New Testament concept of dying to self (e.g., Gal 2:20; Rom 6:6), where the believer is crucified with Christ, not just in baptism, but in an ongoing, experiential manner. The result is not merely abstract eternal life after death, but a transformative spiritual experience of resurrection life in the present. The very definition of salvation (sōzō) shifts from merely avoiding negative consequences to embracing a full, vibrant, and Christ-infused existence that aligns with God's divine purpose for humanity. Thus, the "saved" life is one infused with God's Spirit, reflecting His character and values, which alone truly endures beyond earthly bounds.

Luke 9 24 Commentary

Luke 9:24 unveils a core principle of discipleship: life in the Kingdom of God is counter-intuitive to worldly understanding. It's not about self-preservation in a temporal sense, but about radical self-abandonment to Christ. The pursuit of one's own desires and safeties, apart from His Lordship, leads to eternal void. Conversely, when a believer willingly crucifies their self-will, relinquishes personal ambition, and embraces suffering or inconvenience—all "for My sake"—they tap into the true, eternal life promised by Jesus. This isn't merely a philosophical concept; it's a practical daily call to deny the urge for self-comfort, selfish gain, or recognition, in favor of Christ's kingdom, leading to genuine spiritual vitality now and everlasting life in the age to come. This truth demands a complete re-evaluation of what constitutes true "gain" and "loss."

Examples for practical usage:

• A student chooses to dedicate study time to serve in their local church's ministry rather than only pursuing higher grades, "losing" academic focus for Christ's sake and finding greater spiritual joy.
• An individual facing social ostracization for their faith still publicly proclaims their allegiance to Christ, "losing" their social standing for His sake and saving their spiritual integrity.
• Someone gives generously from their limited resources to support missions, "losing" perceived financial security for Christ and experiencing His provision and blessings.