Mark 4:25

4:25 For whoever has will be given more, but 1  whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” 2 

Mark 8:35

8:35 For whoever wants to save his life 3  will lose it, 4  but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.

Mark 9:37

9:37 “Whoever welcomes 5  one of these little children 6  in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

1 tn Grk “and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

2 sn What he has will be taken from him. The meaning is that the one who accepts Jesus’ teaching concerning his person and the kingdom will receive a share in the kingdom now and even more in the future, but for the one who rejects Jesus’ words, the opportunity that that person presently possesses with respect to the kingdom will someday be taken away forever.

3 tn Or “soul” (throughout vv. 35-37).

4 sn The point of the saying whoever wants to save his life will lose it is that if one comes to Jesus then rejection by many will certainly follow. If self-protection is a key motivation, then one will not respond to Jesus and will not be saved. One who is willing to risk rejection will respond and find true life.

5 tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).

6 sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.