Matthew 7:13-14

The Narrow Gate

7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 7:14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 20:16

20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Luke 13:23-24

13:23 Someone ¹  asked ²  him, “Lord, will only a few ³  be saved?” So ⁴  he said to them, 13:24 “Exert every effort ⁵  to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

¹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

² tn Grk “said to.”

³ sn The warnings earlier in Jesus’ teaching have led to the question whether only a few will be saved.

⁴ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ reply was triggered by the preceding question.

⁵ tn Or “Make every effort” (L&N 68.74; cf. NIV); “Do your best” (TEV); “Work hard” (NLT); Grk “Struggle.” The idea is to exert one’s maximum effort (cf. BDAG 17 s.v. ἀγωνίζομαι 2.b, “strain every nerve to enter”) because of the supreme importance of attaining entry into the kingdom of God.