Mark 8:36

KJV

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} what {G5101} shall it profit {G5623} a man {G444}, if {G1437} he shall gain {G2770} the whole {G3650} world {G2889}, and {G2532} lose {G2210} his own {G846} soul {G5590}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Indeed, what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life?

Berean Standard Bible

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 8:36 presents a profound rhetorical question from Jesus, challenging His listeners to consider the ultimate value of their lives and eternal destinies. It starkly contrasts the fleeting gain of all worldly possessions, power, and prestige with the irreparable and eternal loss of one's soul, underscoring the absolute futility of prioritizing temporal achievements over spiritual salvation. This verse serves as a critical warning against materialism and misplaced priorities, asserting the immeasurable worth of the human soul.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful declaration by Jesus immediately follows His first explicit prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection ([Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Predicts His Death")). Peter's subsequent rebuke of Jesus and Jesus' sharp response, "Get behind me, Satan!" ([Mark 8:32-33](/mark/8-32-33 "Mark 8:32-33 - Peter Rebukes Jesus")), set the stage for a radical redefinition of discipleship. Jesus then calls the crowd and His disciples to Him, outlining the demanding nature of following Him: self-denial, taking up one's cross, and losing one's life for His sake and the gospel's ([Mark 8:34-35](/mark/8-34-35 "Mark 8:34-35 - The Cost of Discipleship")). Mark 8:36 functions as the climactic rhetorical question that logically culminates this teaching, forcing an inescapable choice between worldly ambition and eternal life, making the cost of true discipleship abundantly clear.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st-century Roman world, values were heavily skewed towards power, wealth, honor, and status. The pursuit of these earthly gains was considered the epitome of success. Jesus' audience, both Jewish and Gentile, would have been deeply ingrained in a culture that esteemed material prosperity and social standing. Within Judaism, while spiritual life was valued, there was also a strong emphasis on earthly blessings as signs of God's favor. Jesus' teaching directly confronts these prevailing cultural norms, challenging the very definition of "profit" and "loss." He reorients the audience's perspective from the visible, temporal realm to the invisible, eternal one, highlighting that what the world deems valuable is ultimately worthless in the face of eternal realities.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 8:36 contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It powerfully articulates **the immeasurable value of the human soul**, positing it as priceless beyond any earthly equivalent. This verse also highlights the stark contrast between **eternal profit and temporal gain**, forcing a re-evaluation of what truly constitutes "success" or "advantage." It underscores the theme of **true wisdom and priorities**, calling individuals to align their lives with God's eternal values rather than the fleeting allure of the world. Furthermore, it reinforces the demanding nature of **the cost of discipleship**, emphasizing that following Christ often necessitates a radical renunciation of worldly ambitions and a willingness to "lose" one's life in the temporal sense to "save" it for eternity, as articulated in [Mark 8:35](/mark/8-35 "Mark 8:35 - Losing Life to Save It").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **profit (Greek, _ōpheléō'_):** From G5623, meaning "to be useful, to benefit." This word sets up the commercial metaphor central to the verse, questioning the actual advantage or benefit derived from such an exchange. Jesus uses a term associated with business transactions to expose the utter lack of true gain when one's eternal destiny is at stake.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** From G2889, meaning "orderly arrangement; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))." Here, "world" signifies not merely the physical earth, but the entire system of human society, its values, ambitions, and pursuits, especially as it stands in opposition to God's kingdom and eternal purposes. It represents the sum total of all that humanity might strive for in a temporal sense: wealth, power, fame, pleasure, and success.
* **soul (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** From G5590, meaning "breath; by implication, spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from πνεῦμα [pneuma], which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from ζωή [zoē], which is mere vitality, even of plants)." In this context, _psychē_ encompasses one's life, inner being, self, and eternal destiny. While Strong's differentiates it from _pneuma_ (the rational/immortal soul), in this specific usage, _psychē_ carries the full weight of a person's eternal existence and identity, representing the essence of who they are before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For what shall it profit a man,"**: This opening phrase is a powerful rhetorical question, designed to elicit an obvious answer: "Nothing!" Jesus immediately frames the discussion in terms of a cost-benefit analysis, challenging the conventional wisdom of worldly gain. The Greek particle "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces a reason or explanation, linking this question directly to the preceding teaching on the radical demands of discipleship.
* **"if he shall gain the whole world,"**: This clause presents the hypothetical maximum of earthly achievement. "The whole world" is hyperbole, representing the absolute pinnacle of material wealth, power, influence, and human success imaginable. It signifies acquiring everything that secular society deems valuable and desirable. The word "gain" (G2770, _kerdaínō_) implies a successful acquisition or profit, often in a commercial sense, further solidifying the transactional metaphor.
* **"and lose his own soul?"**: This is the devastating counterpoint and the ultimate consequence. The word "lose" (G2210, _zēmióō_) means to suffer detriment, forfeit, or be penalized, implying damage or ruin. The "soul" (G5590, _psychḗ_) here refers to one's very life, inner being, and eternal destiny. The question posits that even if one were to achieve unparalleled worldly success, the forfeiture of one's eternal self renders all such gain utterly worthless and eternally catastrophic.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 8:36 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to provoke deep thought and emphasize an undeniable truth: there is no profit in such an exchange. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "gain the whole world," which exaggerates the extent of earthly acquisition to underscore the utter worthlessness of even the most immense temporal success when compared to eternal loss. The verse is built upon a striking **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, juxtaposing "gain" with "lose" and "the whole world" with "his own soul." This sharp opposition highlights the irreconcilable conflict between worldly pursuits and eternal salvation. Finally, the verse uses a powerful **Metaphor** or **Analogy** drawn from commerce, casting life as a transaction involving "profit" and "loss," thereby making the spiritual truth accessible through a familiar economic framework.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical understanding of human value and eternal priorities. It asserts that the human soul, created in the image of God, possesses an intrinsic and immeasurable worth that far surpasses any earthly treasure or achievement. Theologically, it underscores the temporary nature of all material possessions and worldly accolades in contrast to the eternal reality of one's relationship with God. It serves as a stern warning against idolatry—specifically, the idolatry of materialism and self-aggrandizement—which promises fulfillment but ultimately leads to spiritual bankruptcy and eternal separation from God. Jesus’ question forces a radical re-evaluation of what constitutes true "life" and "profit," shifting the focus from temporal accumulation to eternal preservation and spiritual well-being.

* [Matthew 16:26](/matthew/16-26 "Matthew 16:26 - Parallel Account of Mark 8:36")
* [Luke 9:25](/luke/9-25 "Luke 9:25 - Parallel Account of Mark 8:36")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 8:36 remains profoundly relevant for every generation, speaking directly to the human tendency to prioritize the tangible and immediate over the eternal and unseen. In a world increasingly driven by consumerism, social media validation, and the relentless pursuit of success, Jesus' question serves as a vital spiritual compass. It compels us to critically examine our deepest desires, our daily choices, and the ultimate aims of our lives. Are we investing our time, energy, and resources into things that will perish, or into that which has eternal significance? This verse challenges us to recognize the deceptive allure of worldly promises, which often offer fleeting satisfaction at the cost of genuine spiritual vitality and a lasting relationship with God. True wisdom, Jesus implies, lies in understanding that the greatest "profit" is the preservation of one's soul, which is secured not through accumulation but through surrender and faith in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "world" am I currently striving to gain, and what might be the cost to my soul?**
* **How do my daily choices and long-term ambitions reflect my true priorities regarding my soul's eternal well-being?**
* **In what ways does society's definition of "profit" or "success" conflict with Jesus' teaching in this verse?**
* **What practical steps can I take to prioritize the health and salvation of my soul over worldly pursuits?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "gain the whole world"?**

Answer: "Gaining the whole world" is a hyperbole, a deliberate exaggeration to represent the absolute pinnacle of earthly achievement, wealth, power, fame, and pleasure. It's not necessarily about literally owning every piece of land or every fortune, but rather about achieving the ultimate human ambition or success as defined by worldly standards. It encompasses the sum total of all that people typically strive for in their temporal lives, often at the expense of their spiritual and eternal well-being. Jesus uses this extreme scenario to highlight the utter worthlessness of even the greatest worldly triumph if it means forfeiting one's eternal self.

**How does one "lose his own soul" in this context?**

Answer: To "lose his own soul" (Greek: _psychē_) refers to the forfeiture of one's eternal life and spiritual well-being. It implies spiritual ruin, separation from God, and eternal damnation. While the Greek word _psychē_ can refer to one's physical life, here it carries the weight of one's inner being, identity, and eternal destiny. Jesus is not speaking of a literal annihilation of the soul, but rather its eternal detriment and separation from its Creator. It's the ultimate spiritual bankruptcy, where one has traded temporary earthly gains for an eternal loss of communion with God and the life He offers ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 8:36, while a stark warning, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself perfectly exemplified the principle He taught: He did not "gain the whole world" in an earthly sense; instead, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). In doing so, He "lost" His life (temporally) to "gain" the souls of humanity (eternally). His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of the immeasurable value of the human soul, for which He paid the ultimate price. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers the only true "profit" that endures for eternity: forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life for all who believe in Him ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). Therefore, the "soul" that is "lost" by worldly pursuit can only be "saved" by embracing Christ, who freely gives what no amount of earthly gain can purchase. He is the one who truly secures our eternal inheritance ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - Living Hope and Inheritance")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Psalms 49:17

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

Luke 9:25

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Philippians 3:7

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:9

¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

James 1:9

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

James 1:11

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.