Matthew 16:25

25 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will find them.

Matthew 16:25 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 16:25

For whosoever will save his life
Whoever is desirous of preserving himself from troubles, reproaches, persecutions, and death; and takes such a method to do it, as by forsaking Christ, denying his Gospel, and dropping his profession of it; and by so doing, curries favour with men, in order to procure to himself worldly emoluments, honour, peace, pleasure, and life,

shall lose it;
he will expose himself to the wrath of God, to everlasting punishment, the destruction of soul and body in hell, which is the second death, and will be his portion:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake:
that is, is willing to forego all the pleasures and comforts of life, and be subject to poverty and distress, and to lay down life itself, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel, rather than deny him, and part with truth,

shall find it;
in the other world, to great advantage; he shall enjoy an immortal and eternal life, free from all uneasiness and affliction, and full of endless joys and pleasures.

Matthew 16:25 In-Context

23 But he turned to Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are a stone that could make me stumble, for you are not thinking God's thoughts but human thoughts."

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.

25 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will find them.

26 Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? What will people give in exchange for their lives?

27 For the Human One is about to come with the majesty of his Father with his angels. And then he will repay each one for what that person has done.