MAT 16:26 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. τί
2. tis
3. what
4. -
5. 51010
6. R····ANS
7. what
8. what
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11234
1. Γάρ
2. gar
3. For/Because
4. -
5. 10630
6. C·······
7. for
8. for
9. S
10. Y32
11. 11235
1. ὠφεληθήσεται
2. ōfeleō
3. ˓will be being benefitted
4. -
5. 56230
6. VIFP3··S
7. ˓will_be_being˒ benefitted
8. ˓will_be_being˒ benefited
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11236
1. ὠφελεῖται
2. ōfeleō
3. -
4. -
5. 56230
6. VIPP3··S
7. ˓is_being˒ benefitted
8. ˓is_being˒ benefited
9. -
10. -
11. 11237
1. ἄνθρωπος
2. anthrōpos
3. +a person
4. -
5. 4440
6. N····NMS
7. ˓a˒ person
8. ˓a˒ person
9. -
10. Y32; F11243; F11247; F11248
11. 11238
1. ἐάν
2. ean
3. if
4. -
5. 14370
6. C·······
7. if
8. if
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11239
1. τόν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11240
1. κόσμον
2. kosmos
3. world
4. world
5. 28890
6. N····AMS
7. world
8. world
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11241
1. ὅλον
2. holos
3. whole
4. -
5. 36500
6. E····AMS
7. whole
8. whole
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11242
1. κερδήσῃ
2. kerdainō
3. he may gain
4. -
5. 27700
6. VSAA3··S
7. ˱he˲ ˓may˒ gain
8. ˱he˲ ˓may˒ gain
9. -
10. Y32; R11238
11. 11243
1. τήν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11244
1. δέ
2. de
3. but
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11245
1. ψυχήν
2. psuχē
3. soul
4. -
5. 55900
6. N····AFS
7. soul
8. soul
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11246
1. αὐτοῦ
2. autos
3. of him
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3GMS
7. ˱of˲ him
8. ˱of˲ him
9. -
10. Y32; R11238
11. 11247
1. ζημιωθῇ
2. zēmioō
3. may be lost
4. -
5. 22100
6. VSAP3··S
7. ˓may_be˒ lost
8. ˓may_be˒ lost
9. -
10. Y32; R11238
11. 11248
1. Ἤ
2. ē
3. Or
4. -
5. 22280
6. C·······
7. or
8. or
9. S
10. Y32
11. 11249
1. τί
2. tis
3. what
4. -
5. 51010
6. R····ANS
7. what
8. what
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11250
1. δώσει
2. didōmi
3. ˓will be giving
4. -
5. 13250
6. VIFA3··S
7. ˓will_be˒ giving
8. ˓will_be˒ giving
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11251
1. ἄνθρωπος
2. anthrōpos
3. +a person
4. -
5. 4440
6. N····NMS
7. ˓a˒ person
8. ˓a˒ person
9. -
10. Y32; F11256
11. 11252
1. ἀντάλλαγμα
2. antallagma
3. as +an exchange
4. exchange
5. 4650
6. N····ANS
7. ˱as˲ ˓an˒ exchange
8. ˱as˲ ˓an˒ exchange
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11253
1. τῆς
2. ho
3. for the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GFS
7. ˱for˲ the
8. ˱for˲ the
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11254
1. ψυχῆς
2. psuχē
3. soul
4. -
5. 55900
6. N····GFS
7. soul
8. soul
9. -
10. Y32
11. 11255
1. αὐτοῦ
2. autos
3. of him
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3GMS
7. ˱of˲ him
8. ˱of˲ him
9. -
10. Y32; R11252
11. 11256

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 16:21–28: Jesus said that he would suffer and be killed

In the previous section, Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ (or Messiah). But Peter and the other disciples did not fully understand what it meant that Jesus was the Messiah. They probably had the same ideas as many other Jews at that time. They thought that the Messiah would be a fighting hero. He would defeat the enemies of Israel and establish a political kingdom.

In this section, Jesus began to try and teach them about the real work of Messiah. He did not come to lead armies and set up a kingdom like other countries. His work was to suffer and die and then be raised back to life again. He also told them that all those who want to follow him should prepare to suffer in the same way. He also promised that the true kingdom was coming very soon.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus foretold/predicted his death and resurrection

Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death (CEV)

Jesus Says that He Must Die (NCV)

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 8:31–9:1 and Luke 9:22–27.

Paragraph 16:24–28

In this paragraph Jesus spoke to all the disciples, including Peter. He is also speaking to all of us. He wanted to teach about how to understand things from God’s perspective. He also hinted how the lives of those who follow him will change.

16:26a–b

(reordered) If a person gets/owns the entire world but does not get eternal life, is there any benefit to him? No!

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus asked this question to emphasize something that everyone should know is true. If someone gets the world’s riches but cannot live forever with God, it is worth nothing.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? (NLT)
As a question with the response supplied. For example:
Will you gain anything if you own the whole world but lose your life with God? Of course not!
As a statement. For example:
It is worth nothing for them to have the whole world if they lose their souls. (NCV)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

16:26a

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world,

Is there any benefit for a person if he owns/gets the whole world
It is worth nothing for a man to get everything in the world

The Greek conjunction that begins this verse is left untranslated in the BSB, but many English versions translate it as “For.” It introduces another basis for Jesus’ statement in 16:24. There he says that a disciple must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Jesus (16:24). Here he says that that is true for/because he will not profit from gaining the entire world (16:26).

The only thing of true value is eternal life. Jesus gives eternal life to those who follow him.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

Because

Let me further explain

Some English versions, such as the BSB, do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

What will it profit a man: The Greek word that the BSB translates as profit means “benefit,” “help,” or “be of use to.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

what do you benefit (NLT)

What good will it do for people (GW)

what use/help will it be for a person

a man: The Greek word that the BSB translates as man refers to a human being. It does not just refer to a male.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

a person (NET)

people (GW)

he gains the whole world: This phrase refers to owning the entire world and everything in it. This is a hyperbole. It refers to being very successful in earning money and obtaining material things.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

own the whole world (CEV)

possesses/acquires everything in the world

becomes the richest person in the world

16:26b

yet forfeits his soul?

but loses his life with God? No!
and not get/receive life that is forever.

forfeits his soul: The Greek word that the BSB translates as forfeits means “loses.”

There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as soul:

It refers to a person’s soul. It is the part of a person that lives even after his body dies. So the phrase “forfeits/loses his soul” is a figurative of speech that means “dies spiritually.” It refers to “losing eternal life” or “losing his life in heaven.” For example:
they lose their souls (NCV) (BSB, NIV, ESV, NLT, NCV, KJV, NASB)
It refers to a person’s life (on earth). So the phrase “forfeits/loses his life” is a figure of speech that means “dies physically.” For example:
lose their lives (GW) (GNT, NET, RSV, GW, REB, NJB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In 16:25, Jesus moved from talking about physical life to talking about spiritual life. Here in 16:26, he continued to talk about spiritual life.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

loses his life with God

fails to get eternal life

does not get/receive life that has no end

General Comment on 16:26a–b

In some language, it will be more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in 16:26a–b. For example:

If a man gains the whole world but loses his own soul, it there any profit in that?

If a man owns the entire world but does not get eternal life, there is no benefit.

16:26c

Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Or, to say it another way, what can a person trade/exchange for his life with God? Nothing!
It is certainly not possible for a person to give/pay enough money to buy his life in heaven.

Or: Here the word Or introduces a rhetorical question that says something similar to the rhetorical question in 16:25a–b. This rhetorical question is another way to make a similar point as the first one.

Normally the word “or” links two things, and only one of them is correct/preferred. Or the listener is supposed to choose one of them. For example, “Did he go to Jerusalem or Bethlehem?” However, in this verse, Or is not used in that way. The response to both questions is “No” or “Nothing.”

Here is another way to introduce this second rhetorical question:

Or to say/ask it another way

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, a conjunction will not be necessary here either.

what can a man give in exchange for his soul?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus asked this question to emphasize that nothing can buy true life with God. There is nothing that a person can give to God that would be a fair trade for his life.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
what can a person give in exchange for his life? (NET)
As a question with the response supplied. For example:
Is there anything that a person can give to God so that God gives him eternal life in return? No!
As a statement. For example:
It is certainly impossible for a person to pay God enough so that God will give him eternal life.

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

give in exchange for his soul: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as give in exchange refers to the way people traded things before there was money. They traded/exchanged one thing for something else of equal value.

Here, Jesus said that nothing has enough value to be an equal trade for eternal life. That is even true if you had all the riches of the world. No one is able to pay enough to buy true life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

there is nothing a person can give in trade for his life with God

What can a person trade/exchange to get eternal life?

Can a person pay enough money to buy his life in heaven?

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τί Γάρ ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐάν τόν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ τήν δέ ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ Ἤ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ)

Here, the word For introduces another basis for what Jesus said in [16:24](../16/24.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason or basis for a claim, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [Another reason I say that is because] or [Even further,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

τί & ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος, ἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ?

what & ˓will_be_being˒_benefited ˓a˒_person what & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τί Γάρ ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐάν τόν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ τήν δέ ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ Ἤ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ)

Jesus is using the question form to teach his disciples. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [a man will benefit nothing if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life.] or [a man will never benefit anything if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life!]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / hypo

τί & ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος, ἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ

Here Jesus uses an imaginary situation to show that forfeiting one’s life is bad enough that gaining anything else cannot make up for it. Use a natural method in your language for introducing an imaginary situation. Alternate translation: [image a man who gained the whole world but forfeited his life. What will that man benefit]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἄνθρωπος & κερδήσῃ & αὐτοῦ & ἄνθρωπος & αὐτοῦ

˓a˒_person & ˱he˲_˓may˒_gain & ˱of˲_him & ˓a˒_person & ˱of˲_him

Although the terms man, he, and his are masculine, Jesus is using the words in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use phrases that make this clear. Alternate translation: [a person … he or she gains … his or her … a person … his or her]

τὴν & ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ & τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ

Alternate translation: [his soul … for his soul]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ἢ

Here, the word Or introduces a second question that again emphasizes how important a person’s life is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a similar idea, or you could leave Or untranslated. Alternate translation: [Again,] or [Even further,]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ?

Jesus is using the question form to teach his disciples. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [a man can give nothing in exchange for his life.] or [a man cannot give anything in exchange for his life!]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ

˱as˲_˓an˒_exchange ˱for˲_the soul ˱of˲_him

Here Jesus could be implying: (1) that there is nothing that is worth as much as a person’s life. Alternate translation: [that is as worth as much as his soul] (2) that there is nothing that is valuable enough to redeem one’s life when it has been forfeited. Alternate translation: [that can buy back his soul]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear MAT 16:26

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 16:21–28: Jesus said that he would suffer and be killed

Paragraph 16:24–28

16:26a–b

16:26a

16:26b

General Comment on 16:26a–b

16:26c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)