Jesus Addresses The Disciples Along With A Gathered Crowd (8:34-38).
Analysis of 8:34-38
a And He called to Him the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
b For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it (Mark 8:35).
c For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? (Mark 8:36).
b For what should a man give in exchange for his life? (Mark 8:37).
a For whoever will be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).
Note that in ‘a' Jesus calls all to follow Him fully whatever the cost, and in the parallel he declares what the consequences will be for those who do and those who do not. In ‘b' He declares what someone must do to save their life, and in the parallel asks what a man will give in exchange for his life. Centrally in ‘c' He declares the folly of gaining the whole world but losing eternal life.