Matthew 16:25-26

16:25 For whoever wants to save his life ¹  will lose it, ²  but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 16:26 For what does it benefit a person ³  if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?

[16:25]  ¹ tn Or “soul” (throughout vv. 25-26).

[16:25]  ² sn The point of the saying whoever wants to save his life will lose it is that if one comes to Jesus then rejection by many will certainly follow. If self-protection is a key motivation, then one will not respond to Jesus and will not be saved. One who is willing to risk rejection will respond and find true life.

[16:26]  ³ tn Grk “a man,” but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense here to refer to both men and women.