Markus 8:35

8:35 For whoever wants to save his life ¹  will lose it, ²  but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.

Markus 9:37

9:37 “Whoever welcomes ³  one of these little children ⁴  in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Markus 10:38-39

10:38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?” ⁵  10:39 They said to him, “We are able.” ⁶  Then Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience,

[8:35]  ¹ tn Or “soul” (throughout vv. 35-37).

[8:35]  ² 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.

[9:37]  ³ tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).

[9:37]  ⁴ sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.

[10:38]  ⁵ tn Grk “baptism I am baptized with.” This same change has been made in v. 39.

[10:39]  ⁶ sn No more naïve words have ever been spoken as those found here coming from James and John, “We are able.” They said it with such confidence and ease, yet they had little clue as to what they were affirming. In the next sentence Jesus confirms that they will indeed suffer for his name.