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 save his life will lose it; but whoever will 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].

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.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

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 save his life will lose it; but whoever will 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 ...
Audio Bible



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

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 10:37-39
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.

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

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.

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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
This term is inclusive and universal, indicating that the message applies to all people without exception. In the Greek, the word is "hos," which is a relative pronoun that can mean "who," "which," or "whoever." This universality underscores the comprehensive nature of Jesus' teaching, emphasizing that the principle He is about to state is a fundamental truth applicable to every individual, regardless of their status or background.

tries to save
The Greek word here is "zētēsei," which means to seek or strive for. This phrase suggests an active effort or intention to preserve one's life. In the context of the Gospel, this striving can be understood as an attempt to cling to worldly possessions, status, or even physical life at the expense of spiritual truths. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to prioritize immediate, tangible security over eternal, spiritual well-being.

his life
The Greek word for life here is "psychē," which can mean life, soul, or self. This term encompasses not just physical life but also one's inner being and identity. In the biblical context, it often refers to the essence of a person, their soul, which is eternal. The use of "psychē" indicates that Jesus is speaking about more than just physical survival; He is addressing the deeper, spiritual aspect of human existence.

will lose it
The Greek word "apolesei" means to destroy or lose. This phrase conveys a paradoxical truth central to Christian teaching: that in the pursuit of self-preservation, one may ultimately forfeit what is most valuable. Historically, this reflects the Christian understanding that clinging to earthly life and its pleasures can lead to spiritual ruin, as it distracts from the pursuit of God's kingdom.

but whoever loses
The word "apolesei" is used again here, but in a different context. This time, it is about willingly giving up or sacrificing one's life. The repetition of the word emphasizes the contrast between the two actions: one is a loss through self-centered striving, and the other is a voluntary surrender for a greater purpose. This reflects the Christian call to self-denial and the willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.

his life
Again, the term "psychē" is used, reinforcing the idea that Jesus is speaking about the soul or the true self. The repetition of this term highlights the importance of understanding life not just in physical terms but as a spiritual reality that transcends earthly existence.

will preserve it
The Greek word "sōsei" means to save or preserve. This promise of preservation is a profound assurance of eternal life for those who are willing to surrender their earthly lives for the sake of Christ. In the historical and scriptural context, this reflects the Christian hope of resurrection and eternal life, a core tenet of the faith that offers comfort and motivation for believers to live sacrificially.

(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.

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.


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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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