Finding and losing.

Matthew 10.39; 16.25-26 = Mark 8.35-37 = Luke 9.24-25; 17.33  (John 12.25).

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Notes and quotes.

§ I note the following agreements between Matthew and Luke against Mark:

1. Matthew 16.25 and Luke 9.24 each have the subjunctive απολεση (should lose) where Mark 8.35 has the indicative απολεσει (loses).
2. Matthew 16.26 has ωφεληθησεται ανθρωπος (a man shall be profited, a future passive verb with a nominative subject); Luke 9.25 has ωφελειται ανθρωπος (a man is profited, a present passive verb with a nominative subject); and Mark 8.36 has ωφελει ανθρωπον (it does profit a man), a present active verb with an accusative direct object).
3. Matthew 16.26 and Luke 9.25 each have δε (and or but) where Mark 8.36 has και (and). A rather common agreement.

§ Ignatius to the Romans 6.1:

Ουδεν με ωφελησει τα περατα του κοσμου, ουδε αι βασιλειαι του αιωνος τουτου.

The boundaries of the world profits me nothing, nor do the kingdoms of this age [profit me anything].

§ The Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 6.3.6:

Οταν ουν μετανοησωσι, τοτε αναβαινει επι την καρδιαν αυτων τα εργα τα πονηρα α επραξαν, και τοτε δοξαζουσι τον θεον, οτι δικαιος κριτης εστι και δικαιως επαθεν παντα εκαστος κατα τας πραξεις αυτου.

When therefore they repent, then the evil works which they have done ascend upon their hearts, and they then glorify God, [saying] that he is a just judge and [that] they suffered all things justly, each according to his practices.

Similitude 9.26.3:

Οι δε εψωριακοτες, ουτοι οι αρνησαμενοι εισι και μη επιστρεψαντες επι τον κυριον εαυτων, αλλα χερσωθεντες και γενομενοι ερημωδεις, μη κολλωμενοι τοις δουλοις του θεου, αλλα μοναζοντες, απολλυουσι τας εαυτων ψυχας.

And those who were covered with scabs, these are those who have denied and not returned to their Lord again, but rather, having become withered and like a desert, not cleaving to the servants of God, but rather being alone, they destroy their own souls.

§ 2 Clement 6.2:

Τι γαρ το οφελος εαν τις τον κοσμον ολον κερδηση, την δε ψυχην ζημιωθη;

For what is the profit if one should gain the whole world but forfeit the soul?

2 Clement 11.6:

Πιστος γαρ εστιν ο επαγγειλαμενος τας αντιμισθιας αποδιδοναι εκαστω των εργων αυτου.

For faithful is the one who promises to give back to each the wages for his works.

§ Justin Martyr Apology 1.15.11-12:

Υμεις δε μη θησαυριζητε εαυτοις επι της γης, οπου σης και βρωσις αφανιζει και λησται διορυσσουσι· θησαυριζετε δε εαυτοις εν τοις ουρανοις, οπου ουτε σης ουτε βρωσις αφανιζει. τι γαρ ωφελειται ανθρωπος, αν τον κοσμον ολον κερδηση, την δε ψυχην αυτου απολεση; η τι δωσει αυτης ανταλλαγμα; θησαυριζετε ουν εν τοις ουρανοις, οπου ουτε σης ουτε βρωσις αφανιζει.

But you, do not treasure up things for yourselves upon the earth, where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break in; but treasure up for yourselves things in the heavens, where neither moth nor rust corrupt. For what does it benefit a man if he should gain the whole world but lose his soul? Or what shall he give in exchange for it? Treasure up things, therefore, in the heavens, where neither moth nor rust corrupt.