Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 16:25

"For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it." — Matthew 16:25 (ASV)

Now they were to practice the doctrine He had taught them before. They could only save their real selves by the loss of this present life, but if they settled it in their own minds that they must first and foremost save their outer life, it would be at the expense of their truest being. To tell them plainly of this was honest dealing on our Lord’s part, and it spoke well for the disciples that they still remained faithful to Him.

Alas! there was one even of the chosen twelve who probably at this very moment was scheming how he could continue to keep the bag and yet could ultimately escape from the consequences of His Master’s demand.