Luke 17:33

Whosoever shall seek to save his life
By fleeing to some strong hold, or by continuing in the metropolis, and strongest city in the nation, Jerusalem:

shall lose it:
there he will be in the greatest danger:

and whosoever shall lose his life;
or expose it to danger, by fleeing to the mountains, or going to Pella, a small town beyond Jordan, of no strength, and where there might be thought no security;

shall preserve it; he shall be safe; (See Gill on Matthew 16:25).