Amplified Bible
Luke 13:24
24“Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able.
Luke 13:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
- New International Version (NIV)“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
- English Standard Version (ESV)"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Context of Luke 13:24
22Jesus journeyed on through cities and villages, teaching and making His way toward Jerusalem. 23And someone asked Him, “Lord, will only a few be saved [from the penalties of the last judgment]?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able. 25Once the head of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door [again and again], saying, ‘Lord, open to us!’ then He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you are from [for you are not of My household].’ 26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’;
Read all of Luke 13Luke 13:24 word by word
ἀγωνίζεσθε εἰσελθεῖν διὰ τῆς στενῆς θύρας· ὅτι πολλοί, λέγω ὑμῖν, ζητήσουσιν εἰσελθεῖν καὶ οὐκ ἰσχύσουσιν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Striveἀγωνίζομαιagōnizomai · to struggleG75
- to enter inεἰσέρχομαιeiserchomai · to enterG1525
- atδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- the straitστενόςstenos · narrowG4728
- gateπύληpulē · gateG4439
- forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
- manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- I sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- unto youσύsu · youG4771
- will seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- shallἰσχύωischuō · be strongG2480
- notοὐou · noG3756
Cross-references for Luke 13:24
- Luke 21:36But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].”
- Genesis 32:25When the Man saw that He had not prevailed against Jacob, He touched his hip joint; and Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with Him.
- Matthew 11:12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].
- John 6:27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures [and leads] to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you; for God the Father has authorized Him and put His seal on Him.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!
- Philippians 2:12So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].
- Colossians 1:29For this I labor [often to the point of exhaustion], striving with His power and energy, which so greatly works within me.
- Hebrews 4:11Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness].
- 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin];
- Matthew 7:13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it.
- Proverbs 1:24Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];
- Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom], But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].
- Proverbs 21:25The desire of the lazy kills him, For his hands refuse to labor;
- Ecclesiastes 10:15The labor of a fool so wearies him [because he is ignorant] that he does not even know how to go to a city.
- Isaiah 1:15So when you spread out your hands [in prayer, pleading for My help], I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are full of blood!
- Isaiah 58:2Yet they seek Me day by day and delight [superficially] to know My ways, As [if they were in reality] a nation that has done righteousness And has not abandoned (turned away from) the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me righteous judgments, They delight in the nearness of God.
Commentaries on Luke 13:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Many - will seek - They seek - wish and desire; but they do not strive; therefore, because they will not agonize - will not be in earnest, they shall not get in. See this subject more particularly explained on Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14; (note).Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Strive - Literally, “agonize.” The word is taken from the Grecian games. In their races, and wrestlings, and various athletic exercises, they “strove or agonized,” or put forth all their powers to gain the victory. Thousands witnessed them. They were long trained for the conflict, and the honor of victory was one of the highest honors among the people. So Jesus says that we should strive to enter in; and he means by it that we should be diligent, be…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-30Verses 23-30 Our Saviour came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask not, How many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? Not, What shall become of such and such? But, What shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is, Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the strait gate, must undergo a change of the whole man. Those that would enter in…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. Strive--The word signifies to "contend" as for the mastery, to "struggle," expressive of the difficulty of being saved, as if one would have to force his way in. strait gate--another figure of the same. (See on Mt 7:13, 14). for many ... will seek--"desire," that is, with a mere wish or slothful endeavor. and shall not be able--because it must be made a life-and-death struggle.Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 13:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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