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Luke 17:33

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 17:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose [his life] shall preserve it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose [his life] shall preserve it.
Luke 17:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30after the same manner shall it be in the day that the Son of man is revealed.
31In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and let him that is in the field likewise not return back.
32Remember Lot`s wife.
33Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose [his life] shall preserve it.
34I say unto you, In that night there shall be two men on one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35There shall be two women grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
36[There shall be two men in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.]
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life, etc.] By fleeing to some strong hold, or by continuing in the metropolis, and strongest city in the nation, Jerusalem: shall lose it: there he will be in the greatest danger: and whosoever shall lose his life; or expose it to danger, by fleeing to the mountains, or going to Pella, a small town beyond Jordan, of no strength, and where there might be thought no security; shall preserve it; he shall be safe; (see Gill on “<401625>Matthew 16:25”).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whosoever, &c.--(See on Luk 9:23-27).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 10:39. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The sense of this and the following verses is, Yet as great as the danger will be, do not seek to save your life by violating your conscience: if you do, you will surely lose it: whereas if you should lose it for my sake, you shall be paid with life everlasting. But the most probable way of preserving it now, is to be always ready to give it up: a peculiar Providence shall then watch over you, and put a difference between you and other men. Luke 17:37”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Luk 9:24, Luk 9:25; Mat 10:39, Mat 16:25; Mar 8:35-37; Joh 12:25; Rev 2:10 Luke 17:34”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 17 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification