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

MATTHEW 10:39KJV
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Matthew 10:39 (KJV)

What does Matthew 10:39 mean?

Matthew 10:39 presents a reversal: a person who secures life by putting it ahead of Jesus will lose it, while a person who loses life because of Jesus will find it. Jesus treats the loss suffered for his sake as the path to a life that is not finally lost.

Jesus is speaking to his twelve disciples as he sends them out. After the picture of taking up a cross in verse 38, his words make clear that following him may cost a person even their life. The phrase “for my sake” ties that loss specifically to their connection with him.

The Greek behind Matthew 10:39

  • “life” — ψυχή (psychē): This word can mean a person’s life or self. Its range helps explain how Jesus can speak of life both as something a person may lose and as something that person will find.
  • “lose” — ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi): This word can carry the sense of losing or destroying. In the verse, the same word stands behind both “lose” and “loseth,” linking the two outcomes in Jesus’ contrast.

Why Matthew 10:39 matters

  • The reason for losing life matters to the sentence. Jesus speaks of the person who loses life “for my sake,” connecting the loss to loyalty to him.
  • The verse belongs to a warning about real danger. Earlier, Jesus tells the disciples that they will be brought before rulers and that some will be put to death (Matthew 10:18, 21).
  • Jesus places his words alongside difficult family choices. Matthew 10:37 speaks of loving a parent or child more than him; verse 39 continues the contrast between holding on to what is precious and the cost of belonging to him.

Where else these words appear

“sake” Greek G1752 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
  • Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

“lose” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
  • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“life” Greek G5590 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
  • John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

“my” Greek G1700 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
  • Acts 25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?