Matthew 16 25

Matthew 16:25 kjv

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

Matthew 16:25 nkjv

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

Matthew 16:25 niv

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

Matthew 16:25 esv

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

Matthew 16:25 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.

Matthew 16 verses

Matthew 16 25 Meaning

Matthew 16:25 presents a core paradox of Christian discipleship: that true, eternal life is found only by a radical act of self-sacrifice for Jesus Christ's sake, while attempts to preserve one's earthly life and self-interests will ultimately lead to spiritual loss. It challenges the innate human desire for self-preservation, redirecting it towards Christ as the sole source of ultimate gain.

Matthew 16 25 Context

This verse is profoundly situated within Jesus' definitive teaching on the cost of discipleship. It immediately follows Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Christ and Jesus' subsequent revelation that He must go to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and be raised (Mt 16:21). Peter’s shocked and misguided attempt to deter Jesus (“Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”) earns him Jesus’ stern rebuke: “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Mt 16:22-23). Having corrected Peter's worldly view of a suffering Messiah, Jesus then turns to all His disciples, explaining that their path, too, will involve suffering and self-denial. Verse 24 instructs them to deny themselves and take up their cross. Verse 25 then provides the profound theological reason why such radical commitment is necessary: genuine life can only be found by letting go of the false security of worldly self-preservation, specifically for the sake of following Christ. The historical-cultural context involved various Jewish expectations of a Messiah who would liberate Israel politically, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ emphasis on a spiritual kingdom entered through sacrifice and suffering.

Matthew 16 25 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunctive particle, meaning "for" or "because." It introduces the logical explanation or reason behind the previous statement (Mt 16:24), which urged disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross.
• whoever desires (ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ - hos gar an thelē): Expresses a deliberate personal intention or will. This is a choice of where one places their ultimate desires and security, indicating an active pursuit.
• to save (σῶσαι - sōsai): The infinitive form meaning "to preserve," "to rescue," "to keep safe." Here, it signifies the act of clinging to, maintaining, or securing one's own life in a temporal, earthly sense, often out of self-interest or fear of loss.
• his life (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ - tēn psychēn autou): Greek psychē refers not just to biological existence (bios), but profoundly to one's soul, self, ego, individual identity, desires, aspirations, and vitality. It's the inner essence that makes a person unique. In this context, it embodies one's temporal existence and sense of security in the world.
• will lose it (ἀπολέσει αὐτήν - apolesei autēn): The future indicative form of apollumi, meaning "to destroy," "to perish," "to lose utterly." This indicates a certain and ultimate outcome: attempting to save one's worldly psychē results in its eternal and spiritual ruin or forfeiture.
• but whoever loses (ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ - hos d' an apolesē): This highlights a volitional, deliberate act of surrender or abandonment. It's an active decision to let go, contrasting sharply with the futile effort of "saving" in the previous clause. The form is aorist subjunctive, denoting a decisive act.
• his life (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ - tēn psychēn autou): Again, the same term psychē, indicating that the very "self" that one normally seeks to preserve is precisely what must be given up.
• for my sake (ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ - heneken emou): This critical qualification provides the unique Christian dimension. It clarifies that this "losing" is not random asceticism or fatalism, but a specific act of allegiance, love, and loyalty to Jesus Christ. It implies accepting suffering, rejection, or even physical death because of one's commitment to Him and His Gospel.
• will find it (εὑρήσει αὐτήν - heurēsei autēn): The future indicative form of heuriskō, meaning "to discover," "to obtain," "to acquire." This "finding" refers to a true, eternal, and abundant life (spiritual renewal, fellowship with God, resurrection life) that God bestows as a gift to those who sacrificially follow Christ.

Words-group analysis:

• "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it": This phrase identifies a common human impulse: to protect and preserve one's self, earthly comforts, and ambitions. Jesus declares this pursuit to be futile in the grand scheme, leading to ultimate spiritual emptiness and forfeiture of eternal well-being. It exposes the deceptive nature of worldly security.
• "but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it": This profound and counter-intuitive statement describes the essence of discipleship. It calls for a deliberate surrender of one's autonomous self-life and all that it values (comfort, security, reputation, desires) motivated purely by loyalty to Christ. This radical abandonment is the only path to discovering genuine, eternal, and purposeful life as gifted by God.

Matthew 16 25 Bonus section

The stark contrast in this verse—lose/find—serves as a constant theological pivot point, redirecting humanity's natural orientation toward self-preservation into a divine economy of self-abandonment for ultimate gain. This paradox is woven throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's upside-down kingdom principles where the last are first, the humble are exalted, and the suffering inherit comfort. Jesus' choice of the term psychē rather than bios emphasizes that He's speaking not just about physical life, but about the very essence of one's being, one's cherished self and identity. Therefore, "losing one's life" is a comprehensive spiritual act involving the whole person, surrendering their perceived control over their destiny to the sovereign will of Christ. This radical call for discipleship underscores that Christianity is not a supplementary philosophy or a set of moral guidelines, but a total reorientation of one's existence around Jesus Christ as the supreme Lord.

Matthew 16 25 Commentary

Matthew 16:25 presents the spiritual paradox at the heart of Christian living: the only way to truly gain life is by letting go of one's claim to it for the sake of Christ. Jesus defines here what it means to be a true follower, clarifying that superficial assent is insufficient. The "life" (psychē) to be "saved" refers to one's entire self-focused existence, prioritizing personal security, reputation, comfort, and worldly aspirations. Clinging to this temporary, fallen "life" leads to eternal loss. Conversely, "losing" one's life is not an accidental event but a conscious, deliberate surrender of one's personal will, desires, and even physical safety to Jesus. This surrender, explicitly done "for My sake," highlights absolute devotion to Christ, leading to the "finding" of genuine, abundant, and eternal life in union with Him. It's a transformative exchange: a finite, temporal self given up for an infinite, eternal self defined by Christ.

Practically, this looks like:

• Choosing ethical integrity and suffering financial loss, rather than compromising truth for profit.
• Serving others sacrificially in difficult circumstances, even when it costs personal comfort or time.
• Sharing the Gospel in hostile environments, despite the risk of persecution or rejection.
• Relinquishing control over personal plans to follow God's calling, even if it feels daunting or unsecured.