Mark 8:36

King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

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

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον, ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ;

Transliteration

What for will ōphelēsei anthrōpon, if he might kerdēsē the kosmon holon, and be zēmiōthē the psychēn of him?

Grammar Details

• *ōphelēsei*: verb, future active indicative, 3rd person singular - it will profit
• *anthrōpon*: noun, masculine accusative singular - man/person
• *kerdēsē*: verb, aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular - he might gain
• *kosmon*: noun, masculine accusative singular - world
• *holon*: adjective, masculine accusative singular - whole/entire
• *zēmiōthē*: verb, aorist passive subjunctive, 3rd person singular - he might forfeit/lose
• *psychēn*: noun, feminine accusative singular - soul/life

Word Meanings

• *ōphelēsei*: it will profit/benefit/help
• *anthrōpon*: man/person/human
• *kerdēsē*: he might gain/acquire/win
• *kosmon*: world/universe/mankind
• *holon*: whole/entire/all
• *zēmiōthē*: he might forfeit/lose/suffer the loss of
• *psychēn*: soul/life/self

Referenced Verses

• Luke 9:25 : 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
• Job 2:4 : 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
• Job 22:2 : 2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
• Ps 49:17 : 17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
• Rom 6:21 : 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
• Jas 1:9-9 : 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 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.
• Matt 16:26 : 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?
• Rev 18:7-8 : 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Thefo shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fi: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
• Phil 3:7-9 : 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 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:
• Heb 11:24-26 : 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
• Luke 12:19-20 : 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
• Luke 16:19-23 : 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
• Mal 3:14 : 14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
• Matt 4:8-9 : 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
• Ps 73:18-20 : 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.