And when, &c. The Lord now speaks to all who follow Him. with = in association with. Greek sun. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 8:10 , Mark 8:14 , Mark 8:38 . will come = is willing to come. will . Greek. thelo. App-102 . follow: i.e. habitually follow. read more
life . Greek. psuche. App-110 . But here correctly rendered "life". See Mark 8:36 . and the gospel's. A Divine supplement, here. read more
if he shall gain, &c. See App-118 . world. Greek. kosmos. App-129 . soul = life. Same word as life "in Mark 8:35 . See Matthew 16:26 . read more
in exchange = [as] an equivalent. read more
And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it.The cross was not merely for our Lord but for all who would enter into eternal life.Deny himself ... Egocentric pride is the bane of human life; and `God's plan of salvation requires the renunciation of... read more
For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what should a man give in exchange for his life?These verses stress the incomparable value of the soul, worth more than the whole world; and if, through disloyalty to Christ, one should forfeit his soul to eternal night, there is nothing with which he could hope to reclaim it. The loss would be irrevocable. Even if he should have gained the planet itself, such would be insufficient to purchase again the forfeited... read more
V. THE SERVANT’S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM 8:31-10:52Having comprehended Jesus’ true identity the disciples next turned south with Jesus and headed from Caesarea Philippi toward Jerusalem. This section of the Gospel traces that journey and stresses Jesus’ preparation of His disciples for His coming death and resurrection."It is no coincidence that the narrator frames the journey to Jerusalem with two healing stories about blindness [Mark 8:22-26; Mark 10:46-52], for the journey surely seems... read more
Jesus addressed the crowds as well as the disciples because the requirements are the same for anyone who contemplates discipleship. Some in the crowd were thinking about becoming Jesus’ disciples but had not yet made up their minds."He stated two requirements which, like repent and believe (cf. Mark 1:15), are bound together." [Note: Grassmick, p. 140.] One negative requirement is self-denial, replacing one’s own preferences and plans with God’s priorities and program. [Note: See Michael P.... read more
Jesus used the word "life" (Gr. psyche) in two ways in this verse. The translation of this Greek word as "soul" here has caused some people to conclude that Jesus was only warning about the loss of salvation. He was not. In its first occurrence in each clause, "life" refers to one’s physical life. In the second part of each clause "it" means the essential person that continues to exist beyond the grave. Likewise "lose" has two meanings. In the first clause it means the loss of reward for... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 8:34-38
74. Test of true discipleship (Matthew 16:24-28; Mark 8:34-9:1; Luke 9:23-27)Immediately after telling his disciples of his coming suffering and death, Jesus told them they had to be prepared for similar treatment. The disciples of Jesus are those who have given their lives to Jesus, and they will be obedient to their master even if it leads to hardship, persecution and death. They will no longer rule their own lives, but will deny themselves personal desires in order to please Jesus. In... read more