Luke 17:33
New International Version
Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.

New Living Translation
If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.

English Standard Version
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

Berean Standard Bible
Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Berean Literal Bible
Whoever may seek to keep his life will lose it; but whoever may lose it will preserve it.

King James Bible
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

New King James Version
Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

New American Standard Bible
Whoever strives to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it.

NASB 1995
“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

NASB 1977
“Whoever seeks to keep his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall preserve it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Amplified Bible
Whoever seeks to save his life will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] will keep it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].

Berean Annotated Bible
Whoever tries to save his life {psychēn} will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Christian Standard Bible
Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

American Standard Version
Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Contemporary English Version
People who try to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives will save them.

English Revised Version
Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who try to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives will save them.

Good News Translation
Those who try to save their own life will lose it; those who lose their life will save it.

International Standard Version
Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

NET Bible
Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

New Heart English Bible
Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will preserve it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it.

Weymouth New Testament
Any man who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

World English Bible
Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever may seek to save his life, will lose it; and whoever may lose it, will preserve it.

Berean Literal Bible
Whoever may seek to keep his life will lose it; but whoever may lose it will preserve it.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoever may seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever may lose it, shall preserve it.

Smith's Literal Translation
Whoever should seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose it, shall preserve it alive.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose it, shall preserve it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever has sought to save his life, will lose it; and whoever has lost it, will bring it back to life.

New American Bible
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who desires to save his life shall lose it; and he who loses his life shall save it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Whoever chooses to save his life shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life shall find it.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Whoever will seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever will lose his life, shall save it.

Godbey New Testament
Whosoever may seek to save his soul shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose it shall find it.

Haweis New Testament
Whosoever seeketh to preserve his life shall lose it; and whosoever would lose it, shall preserve it.

Mace New Testament
he that seeks to save his life, will expose it; and he that exposes his life, will preserve it.

Weymouth New Testament
Any man who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Worrell New Testament
Whosoever shall seek to gain his soul shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose it, will preserve it.

Worsley New Testament
and whosoever will venture his life, shall preserve it.

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Coming of the Kingdom
32Remember Lot’s wife! 33Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed: one will be taken and the other left.…

Cross References
Whoever tries to save his life will lose 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.

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.

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

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

Romans 6:8
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.
Matthew 10:37-39
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; / and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. / Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

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

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

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.

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.

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 13:37-38
“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” / “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.


Treasury of Scripture

Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Luke 9:24,25
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it…

Matthew 10:39
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

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

Jump to Previous
Attempt Gain Gives Life Makes Object Preserve Preserves Safe Save Seek Seeks Tries
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Attempt Gain Gives Life Makes Object Preserve Preserves Safe Save Seek Seeks Tries
Luke 17
1. Jesus teaches to avoid occasions of offense;
3. and to forgive one another.
5. The power of faith.
6. How we are bound to God.
11. Jesus heals ten lepers.
22. Of the kingdom of God, and the coming of the Son of Man.












Whoever tries to save his life will lose it,

Jesus warns against clinging to personal safety, possessions, or earthly security when God calls for faithfulness. In the setting of His return and coming judgment, those who make preserving their present life their highest aim will forfeit the life God gives eternally. His words recall the danger seen in Lot’s wife, who looked back in attachment to the life she was leaving behind.

Mat 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,…
Mrk 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it…
Luk 9:24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it…

but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Those who surrender themselves to Christ, even at the cost of comfort, reputation, possessions, or physical life, receive true and lasting life. For believers facing persecution, this was a promise that death for Christ’s sake was not defeat. God preserves His people beyond death and will raise them to eternal life.

Jhn 12:25 Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever…
Mat 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it…
Rom 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the coming of the Kingdom of God and the nature of true discipleship.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ who are called to understand and live out His teachings.

3. The Kingdom of God
The central theme of Jesus' teaching, referring to God's sovereign rule and the eternal life offered through Christ.

4. The Coming Judgment
The broader context of this passage includes Jesus' teachings on the end times and the necessity of readiness for His return.
Teaching Points
The Paradox of Life and Loss
Jesus presents a paradox where true life is found in losing one's life. This means prioritizing spiritual values over earthly ones.

Self-Denial as a Path to Preservation
The call to lose one's life is a call to self-denial, where believers are encouraged to let go of selfish ambitions and desires to gain eternal life.

Eternal Perspective
Believers are reminded to live with an eternal perspective, valuing eternal life over temporary earthly existence.

Readiness for Christ's Return
This teaching is set within the context of readiness for the coming of the Kingdom, urging believers to live in a way that reflects their anticipation of Christ's return.

True Discipleship
Following Christ involves a willingness to sacrifice personal desires and comforts for the sake of the Gospel.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Luke 17:33?

2. How does Luke 17:33 challenge our priorities in daily life decisions?

3. What does "whoever tries to save his life" mean in Luke 17:33?

4. How can Luke 17:33 be connected to Matthew 16:25 in understanding sacrifice?

5. In what ways can we "lose" our life for Christ's sake today?

6. How does Luke 17:33 encourage us to trust God over worldly security?

7. What does Luke 17:33 mean by "whoever tries to save his life will lose it"?

8. How does Luke 17:33 challenge the concept of self-preservation?

9. What historical context influences the interpretation of Luke 17:33?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 17?


(33) Whosoever shall seek to save his life.--The better MSS. give a word which is rendered elsewhere by "purchase" (Acts 20:28; 1Timothy 3:13), and perhaps always suggests, as the other word for "save" does not suggest, the idea of some transaction of the kind. So here, the man must purchase, as it were, his lower life at the price of the higher, and he will be a loser by the bargain.

Shall preserve it.--Here, again, the English verb is weak. Better, shall give life to it. The same Greek word occurs in the better MSS. of 1Timothy 6:13, and is there rendered by "quicken," and in its passive form in Acts 7:49, where it should be translated preserved alive, and this is clearly the meaning here. The man who is content to risk his natural life shall gain a life of a higher spiritual order.

Verse 33. - Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Very deep must have been the impression which this saying made upon the early Church. So literally did many interpret it, that the wiser and more thoughtful men in the congregations during the days of persecution had often to prevent persons of both sexes recklessly throwing away their lives in the conflict with the Roman authorities. Very many in the first three centuries positively courted martyrdom.

Trying to clutch this brief earthly life leads to eternal loss, but gladly laying it down for Jesus yields everlasting security and present freedom. Christ calls us to release our grip, trust His promises, and discover that the only life worth keeping is the one we place entirely in His hands.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Whoever
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

tries
ζητήσῃ (zētēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

to save
περιποιήσασθαι (peripoiēsasthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 4046: To acquire, earn, purchase, make my own, preserve alive.

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.

but
δ’ (d’)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

whoever
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

loses [his life]
ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

will preserve
ζωογονήσει (zōogonēsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2225: From the same as zoon and a derivative of ginomai; to engender alive, i.e. to rescue from death.

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.


Additonal Resources
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NT Gospels: Luke 17:33 Whoever seeks to save his life loses (Luke Lu Lk)

Luke 17:32
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