Mark - 8:36



36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Mark 8:36.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?
Why, what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
What profit has a man if he gets all the world with the loss of his life?
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?
For how does it benefit a man, if he gains the whole world, and yet causes harm to his soul?
What good is it to a person to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

(11) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
(11) They are the most foolish of all men who purchase the pleasures of this life with the loss of everlasting bliss.

For what shall it profit a man,.... In the long run, in the issue of things, who by denying Christ, and his Gospel, may not only save his life for the present, but procure for himself great riches and wealth:
if he shall gain the whole world; were that possible to be done, and which the ambitious, worldly man is desirous of; yet supposing he: had his desire, of what avail would this be in the upshot of things, should the following be his case, as it will,
and lose his own soul? which is immortal and everlasting, when the world, and the glory of it pass away, and so is of more worth than the whole world. The world can only be enjoyed for a season, and that with a great deal of fatigue and trouble; but the soul continues for ever; and if it is lost and damned, its torment always abides, and the smoke of it ascends for ever, its worm never dies, and its fire is never quenched; See Gill on Matthew 16:26.

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