Markus 3:27

3:27 But no one is able to enter a strong man’s ¹  house and steal his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can thoroughly plunder his house. ² 

Markus 8:35

8:35 For whoever wants to save his life ³  will lose it, ⁴  but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.

[3:27]  ¹ sn The strong man here pictures Satan.

[3:27]  ² sn Some see the imagery here as similar to Eph 4:7-10, although no opponents are explicitly named in that passage. Jesus has the victory over Satan. Jesus’ acts of healing mean that the war is being won and the kingdom is coming.

[8:35]  ³ tn Or “soul” (throughout vv. 35-37).

[8:35]  ⁴ 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.