Matthew 16 26

Matthew 16:26 kjv

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:26 nkjv

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:26 niv

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Matthew 16:26 esv

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Matthew 16:26 nlt

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Matthew 16 verses

Matthew 16 26 Meaning

This verse declares the unparalleled value of the human soul. It poses two rhetorical questions, emphasizing that gaining all worldly possessions, power, and glory would be a profound and irreparable loss if it meant forfeiting one's eternal life or soul. No earthly treasure or advantage, however vast, can compensate for or be exchanged for a lost soul, highlighting the eternal over the temporal.

Matthew 16 26 Context

This verse is embedded within a pivotal section of Matthew's Gospel, following Peter's profound confession of Jesus as the Christ (Mt 16:16) and Jesus's subsequent announcement of His coming suffering, death, and resurrection (Mt 16:21). Peter's well-intentioned but humanly misguided rebuke of Jesus ("Be it far from thee, Lord") immediately precedes this discourse (Mt 16:22), leading to Jesus's stern response to Peter ("Get thee behind me, Satan" - Mt 16:23).

The larger discourse (Mt 16:24-27) then shifts to the demanding nature of true discipleship, emphasizing self-denial and cross-bearing. Matthew 16:26 serves as the climactic rhetorical argument for why one must deny self and forsake the world's values: because the alternative—gaining the world but losing the soul—is the ultimate and irreversible loss. It stands as a profound counter-cultural polemic against contemporary Greco-Roman ideals of power, status, and worldly conquest, as well as against any Jewish misconception that material prosperity guarantees God's favor or constitutes ultimate blessedness. It elevates spiritual reality and eternal destiny far above temporal advantages, directly challenging humanity's inherent tendency to prioritize what is visible and perishable.

Matthew 16 26 Word analysis

• "For what" (Greek: τί γὰρ, ti gar): Introduces a rhetorical question that expects a negative or impossible answer, stressing the point forcefully.

• "is a man profited" (Greek: ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος, ōphelēthēsetai anthrōpos): Ōphelēthēsetai is future tense, passive voice, meaning "will be benefited," "will gain an advantage." It questions the real, lasting utility or gain.

• "if he shall gain" (Greek: ἐὰν κερδήσῃ, ean kerdēsē): Kerdēsē means to "gain," "acquire by trading," "earn." It implies success in obtaining wealth or advantages, often through commercial means.

• "the whole world" (Greek: τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, ton kosmon holon): Kosmos here refers to the ordered system of human society, with its values, ambitions, and material possessions, often implying opposition to God's ways. "Whole" (holon) signifies its entirety—all possible power, riches, fame, and pleasure imaginable.

• "and lose" (Greek: καὶ ζημιωθῇ, kai zēmiōthē): Zēmiōthē means "to suffer loss," "to be damaged," "to forfeit," "to be penalized." It indicates incurring detriment, especially after incurring gain. This term highlights the severity of the loss.

• "his own soul" (Greek: τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ, tēn psychēn autou): Psychē is a profound Greek word. While it can mean "life," "breath," or "physical life" (as in v. 25), here, in contrast with "the whole world" and "lose," it refers to one's essence, inner being, personhood, and, critically, their eternal spiritual destiny. It encompasses identity and ultimate relationship with God. The loss here is spiritual ruin, eternal separation from God, not annihilation.

• "or what" (Greek: ἢ τί, ē ti): Another rhetorical question, intensifying the previous one.

• "shall a man give" (Greek: δώσει ἄνθρωπος, dōsei anthrōpos): Asks what price can be paid.

• "in exchange for" (Greek: ἀντάλλαγμα, antallagma): Refers to a "counter-purchase," "ransom," "compensation," or something "given in return." The idea is of a trade or substitute.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?": This phrase presents the core dilemma: a direct comparison between earthly gain and eternal loss. It questions the ultimate benefit. No amount of temporal accumulation, no matter how grand, justifies the forfeiture of one's eternal self.
  • "or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?": This phrase underscores the absolute and incomparable value of the soul. It implies that the soul is literally priceless; once lost, there is nothing in existence—no wealth, no power—that can buy it back or serve as an adequate substitute. It is irredeemable by human means.

Matthew 16 26 Bonus section

The concept of psychē (soul/life) in this verse operates on multiple levels simultaneously within the Biblical narrative, showcasing a richness that challenges a simplistic interpretation:

1. Present life: In the preceding verse (Mt 16:25), psychē refers to one's temporal, physical life ("whoever desires to save his life shall lose it"). This sets up a crucial contrast, showing that true "saving" of psychē for eternity may involve "losing" it in the temporal sense.
2. Essence of being: It points to the core self, the personhood that constitutes identity.
3. Eternal destiny: Most crucially, it signifies the eternal aspect of a human being, facing either eternal life with God or eternal perdition without Him. The "loss" of the soul, therefore, refers to spiritual death and judgment, not cessation of existence.

This radical valuation of the soul undercuts the prevailing materialist and self-aggrandizing philosophies prevalent in the Roman world, where honor, power, and wealth were supreme. It equally challenged any shallow interpretations within Judaism that solely tied blessing to temporal prosperity. Jesus calls for a complete reorientation of values, placing the unseen, eternal reality of the soul's destiny as paramount above all visible, temporary gains. The ultimate cost is borne by those who sacrifice their spiritual well-being on the altar of worldly ambition.

Matthew 16 26 Commentary

Matthew 16:26 encapsulates a fundamental truth of the Christian faith, spoken by Jesus directly after teaching about discipleship's cost. It serves as a stark warning and a profound statement of values. The world entices with promises of prosperity, comfort, and control, urging individuals to seek earthly dominance or pleasure. However, Jesus unequivocally states that any such acquisition, even if one were to obtain everything the world offers, would be a catastrophic failure if it leads to the loss of one's soul.

The "soul" here signifies more than mere earthly life; it is the unique, eternal essence of a person, created in God's image, destined for eternal relationship with Him. To "lose" it implies eternal ruin, separation from God, rather than non-existence. The second question, "what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" re-emphasizes that this eternal essence is beyond all material value. No earthly ransom can suffice once it is forfeited. This passage challenges individuals to re-evaluate their pursuits and priorities, highlighting that true profit lies not in accumulating temporal gains, but in securing one's eternal well-being through following Christ. It implies that discipleship, with its call to self-denial and cross-bearing (v. 24), is the only rational path, as it preserves what is infinitely valuable.

Practical applications:

• Examine life choices: Are your decisions driven by worldly success or eternal truth?
• Financial stewardship: Prioritize giving, not just accumulation.
• Redefine success: Measure true success by spiritual fruit, not earthly status.