Jesus says this to his followers after telling them that no one should look back at the time of his return.
Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
Luke 17:33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.
When he seeks to save that self of his, he might destroy it. However when he destroys it, he might propagate it.
This verse has two words that Jesus uses nowhere else in the Gospels translated as "save" and "preserve." It also has untranslated words meaning "when" and creating conditional statements. Because of those "when" words introducing the clauses, none of the verbs here are likely to be the future tense. and its ending is a clear play on words that has two different meanings.
The word translated as "preserve" is by far the most interesting thing in this verse. Jesus only uses this Greek word here. It could be either the noun or the verb form of the same root. As a noun, it means "creation of life" As a verb, it means to "propagate" or, of animals "to breed". As a noun, it gives a reason for losing or destroying, "he might, for a creation of life, destroy it." As a verb, it provides the result of destroying, "When he might lose, he will propagate it". The "propagate" makes it sound like a series of lives, that is, a perpetual life.
Creating a life is impossible without life.
Whosoever (MW) shall(CW) seek to save(CW) his (MW) life(CW) shall lose it; and(OS) whosoever (MW) shall lose [his life(IP)] shall preserve it.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" after "whoever" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "save."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "life."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "and" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" after "whoever" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "his life" doesn't exist in the source.
Whoever (MW) tries(CW) to keep their(WN) life(CW) will lose it, and(WW) whoever (MW) loses [their life(IP)] will preserve it.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" after "whoever" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "their" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "life."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" after "whoever" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "their life " doesn't exist in the source.
Whosoever -- The word translated as "whosoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever."
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause so it is not needed here. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
seek -- The Greek verb translated as "seek" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate, "require," "demand," and "examine."
to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.
save -- (CW) "Save" is a unique word for Jesus, which means to "cause to remain over and above", "keep safe", "preserve", of money, food, etc., "save up", "lay-by", generally, "procure", "secure", "achieve", and "lay up". In comparing it to the other verb used, the main difference is the idea of "saving up". This is not one of the common words usually translated as "save."
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his." - In its adverbial form, this means "just here" or "exactly there."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "soul" is psyche, a common word in Greek, familiar in English, translated commonly as "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." It is used for different aspects of "self," the emotional self, the conscious self, the intellectual self. Jesus uses it to mean our identity in our worldly life specifically, the role we play on earth, what we might call the "self," "ego," or our "the person we are." The problem with translating it as "life" is that another common Greek word means "life." The problem with "soul" is that it doesn't work for many verses because the "soul" is separate from the body. Though the word can mean a departed spirit, most of the word's meanings revolve around "self." "Soul" can also be confused with the concept of "spirit" which is another Greek word. When "self" doesn't work, "person" offers the least confusion. See this article for detail about this word.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
lose -- The word translated as "lose" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.
it; -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a singular object of a verb or preposition. It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context.
and ---- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used. Today, this is the Greek conjunction usually translated as "but" means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
whosoever -- The word translated as "whosoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "when" because it indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
lose -- The word translated as "lose" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.
his life -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source. However, an "it" can be assumed from the context and and "it" appeared here in the KJV source.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
preserve -- The word translated as "preserve" is by far the most interesting thing in this verse. Jesus only uses it here. It could be either the noun or the verb form of the same word. As a noun, it means "creation of life" As a verb, it means to "propagate" or, of animals "to breed". As a noun, it gives a reason for destroying, "he might, for a creation of life, destroy it." As a verb, it provides the result of destroying, "he might destroy, [then] he is going to propagate it". The "then" is commonly assumed in these type of conditional statements.
it; -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a singular object of a verb or preposition. It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context.
Whosoever -- The word translated as "whosoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever."
tries -- (CW) The Greek verb translated as "tries" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate, "require," "demand," and "examine." This word doesn't precisely mean "tries" or "attempts." CW --Confusing Word -- The "tries" doesn't precisely mean "tries."
to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.
keep -- "Keep " is a unique word for Jesus, which means to "cause to remain over and above", "keep safe", "preserve", of money, food, etc., "save up", "lay-by", generally, "procure", "secure", "achieve", and "lay up". In comparing it to the other verb used, the main difference is the idea of "saving up".
their --- (WN) The word translated as "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."This word is not plural but singular.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "soul" is psyche, a common word in Greek, familiar in English, translated commonly as "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." It is used for different aspects of "self," the emotional self, the conscious self, the intellectual self. Jesus uses it to mean our identity in our worldly life specifically, the role we play on earth, what we might call the "self," "ego," or our "the person we are." The problem with translating it as "life" is that another common Greek word means "life." The problem with "soul" is that it doesn't work for many verses because the "soul" is separate from the body. Though the word can mean a departed spirit, most of the word's meanings revolve around "self." "Soul" can also be confused with the concept of "spirit" which is another Greek word. When "self" doesn't work, "person" offers the least confusion. See this article for detail about this word.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
lose -- The word translated as "lose" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.
it; -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a singular object of a verb or preposition. It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context.
and ---- (WW) The Greek conjunction translated as "and" means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "and."
whosoever -- The word translated as "whosoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "when" because it indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever."
loses -- The word translated as "loses" means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.
their life -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source. However, an "it" can be assumed from the context and and "it" appeared here in the KJV source.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. A "might" or "should" could work here or nothing at all in an "if/when/whoever" clause which implies a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
preserve -- The word translated as "preserve" is by far the most interesting thing in this verse. Jesus only uses it here. It could be either the noun or the verb form of the same word. As a noun, it means "creation of life" As a verb, it means to "propagate" or, of animals "to breed". As a noun, it gives a reason for destroying, "he might, for a creation of life, destroy it." As a verb, it provides the result of destroying, "he might destroy, [then] he is going to propagate it". The "then" is commonly assumed in these type of conditional statements.
it; -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a singular object of a verb or preposition. It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context.
ὃς [294 verses](pron sg masc nom) "Whoever" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," " "for which reason," and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things."
ἐὰν [163 verses](conj) Untranslated is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (possibly), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when." It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun hos or hostis meaning "that possibly," "whosoever" or "whatsoever."
ζητήσῃ [36 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall seek" is zeteo, which means "inquire for," "search for," "seek after," "desire," and "feel the want of."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." --
ψυχὴν [33 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Life" is psyche, which is translated as "breath," "life," "self," "personality," "spirit," and "soul." It is also used to describe "the spirit" of things. It is also often translated as "soul."
αὐτοῦ [142 verses](adv/adj sg masc gen) "His/" is autou, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In its adverbial form, this means "just here" or "exactly there." This form is often used as the object of a preposition, him." This form of an object of a preposition means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time. Though the form is masculine, it refers to masculine words, not people. The masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men.
περιποιήσασθαι [1 verse]( verb aor inf mid ) "To save" is peripoieō, which means to "cause to remain over and above", "keep safe", "preserve", of money, food, etc., "save up", "lay by", generally, "procure", "secure", "achieve", and "lay up".
ἀπολέσει [43 verses] ( verb 3rd sg fut ind act or verb 3rd sg aor subj act ) "Shall lose" is apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose" things, "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." The passive, "to be lost" is formed by the middle voice.
αὐτὴν [39 verses](adj sg fem acc) "It" is auten, in the form of the singular, object, feminine pronoun "her/it." It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same." As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
ὃς [294 verses](pron sg masc nom) "Whoever" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," " "for which reason," and many similar meanings. In the neuter, plural, its sense is "these things."-- The word translated as "who" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
δ᾽ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
ἂν [163 verses](conj) Untranslated is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (possibly), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when." It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun hos or hostis meaning "that possibly," "whosoever" or "whatsoever."
ἀπολέσει [43 verses] ( verb 3rd sg fut ind act or verb 3rd sg aor subj act ) "Shall lose" is apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose" things, "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." The passive, "to be lost" is formed by the middle voice.
ζωογονήσει [1 verse] ( verb 3rd sg fut ind act or verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall preserve" is zōogoneō, which as a verb which means "creation of life," to "propagate or engender living creatures", of animals "breed", and "produce alive".
αὐτὴν [39 verses](adj sg fem acc) "It" is auten, in the form of the singular, object, feminine pronoun "her/it." It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same." As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of a singular object of a verb or preposition. It refers to feminine nouns not just female people, so it is translated as both "she" or "it" depending on the context.
Five similar statements appear all four Gospels, including an earlier one in Luke. (Matthew 10:39, Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, John 12:25). However, the way this one is translated in the KJV makes it seem a lot more similar than it really is.