Mark 8:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For what can a man give in return for his soul?

NIV: Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

NASB: For what could a person give in exchange for his soul?

CSB: What can anyone give in exchange for his life?

NLT: Is anything worth more than your soul?

KJV: Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

NKJV: Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Jesus continues His Socratic teaching. Where a straight statement would express the truth, a question allows the disciples and the crowd to contemplate the possible answers. The inferred answer also reveals the heart of God toward us. The entirety of creation will be destroyed (Matthew 24:35), but our souls are immortal, whether for good or bad (Matthew 25:46). All of human achievement will burn, but our souls will remain. Our identities, whether as Christ-followers or as those who rejected God, will exist for eternity.

This must have been comforting for Mark's audience. It's believed his Gospel is one of the first books of the New Testament written, probably in AD 55—59. In AD 64, Rome burned and Nero blamed the Christians. But even before that, Paul and others, authorized by Jewish leadership, hunted Christians and imprisoned them so they could be tried and sentenced to death (Acts 26:9–11).

Life under Roman rule was peaceful for the most part. The professional soldiers took care of the wars, the slaves took care of the roads, and trade between the different regions flourished. To be a Christian was to risk that peace and prosperity for possible martyrdom. At the time, with the expectation of following Jesus to His earthly kingdom, the disciples may have celebrated the idea of having to forfeit the advantages of being a territory of Rome. Later, however, Mark's audience must have felt comfort that their circumstances were nothing compared to the peace their souls would experience in God's presence.

Mark 8:34—9:1 deals with sacrifice and rewards. To follow Jesus the disciples have sacrificed their livelihoods (Mark 1:16–20; 2:14), reputations (Mark 2:18, 23–24; 7:5), regular meals (Mark 6:30–31), and sleep (Mark 1:32–37; 6:45–48). In return, they expect glory (Mark 9:33–37) and power (Mark 10:35–45). Jesus explains that God's timing is more strategic and their roles are more important and difficult than they could imagine. To follow Christ, we must follow Him: His teaching (Mark 8:38), His life (Mark 10:42–45), and His sacrifice (John 15:20). In return, we should not expect earthly rewards, but we will get eternal life. Matthew 16:24–28 and Luke 9:23–27 also record these events.

This chapter describes another miraculous feeding of thousands by Jesus. He also counters the hard-hearted and selfish hypocrisy of the Pharisees in seeking even more miraculous signs. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus rebukes their short memories and reminds them about God's intent to provide for His followers. After healing a blind man, Jesus accepts Peter's proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. Almost immediately, though, Jesus rebukes Peter for resisting the idea that the Messiah must suffer and die.

Mark 8 continues Jesus' attempts to teach the disciples God's plan for the Messiah. Jesus has not come for the religious Pharisees but for the meek who willingly respond to Him. He has not yet come as the glorious and victorious champion of Israel, but to die for the whole world. And His followers must also be willing to sacrifice their lives. The chapter marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry as His miracles grow fewer and His teaching increases. Interestingly, Jesus also faces a repeat of the temptations He experienced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.