See the notes at Matthew 10:39.

Whosoever shall seek to save his life - These or similar words were spoken on another occasion. See on Matthew 10:39 (note); Matthew 16:25, Matthew 16:26 (note).

Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall (e) preserve it.
(e) That is, will save it, as Matthew expounds it: for the life that is spoken of here is everlasting salvation.

Whosoever shall seek to save his life,.... By fleeing to some strong hold, or by continuing in the metropolis, and strongest city in the nation, Jerusalem:
shall lose it: there he will be in the greatest danger:
and whosoever shall lose his life; or expose it to danger, by fleeing to the mountains, or going to Pella, a small town beyond Jordan, of no strength, and where there might be thought no security;
shall preserve it; he shall be safe; See Gill on Matthew 16:25.

Whosoever, &c.--(See on Luke 9:23-27).

Whosoever shall seek to save his life. See notes on Matthew 10:39.

The sense of this and the following verses is, Yet as great as the danger will be, do not seek to save your life by violating your conscience: if you do, you will surely lose it: whereas if you should lose it for my sake, you shall be paid with life everlasting. But the most probable way of preserving it now, is to be always ready to give it up: a peculiar Providence shall then watch over you, and put a difference between you and other men.