Matthew 7:14

Matthew 7:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
• New International Version (NIV)But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Context of Matthew 7:14

12“So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets. 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. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it. 15“Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:14 word by word

τί στενὴ ἡ πύλη καὶ τεθλιμμένη ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἀπάγουσα εἰς τὴν ζωήν, καὶ ὀλίγοι εἰσὶν οἱ εὑρίσκοντες αὐτήν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• straitστενόςstenos · narrowG4728
• the gateὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the gateπύληpulē · gateG4439
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• narrowθλίβωthlibō · to press onG2346
• the wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598
• which leadethἀπάγωapagō · to lead awayG520
• untoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• lifeζωήzōē · lifeG2222
• fewὀλίγοςoligos · little/fewG3641
• there beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• that findεὑρίσκωheuriskō · to find/meetG2147
• itαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Matthew 7:14

• Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
• Proverbs 4:26Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.
• Proverbs 8:20I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,
• Isaiah 30:21Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
• Isaiah 35:8A highway will be there, and a roadway; And it will be called the Holy Way. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for those who walk on the way [the redeemed]; And fools will not wander on it.
• Isaiah 57:14And it will be said, “Build up, build up, clear the way. Remove the stumbling block out of the way [of the spiritual return] of My people.”
• Jeremiah 6:16Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is; then walk in it, And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
• Mark 8:34Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
• John 15:18“If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
• John 16:2They will put you out of the synagogues and make you outcasts. And a time is coming when whoever kills you will think that he is offering service to God.
• Acts 14:22strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2and so we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you [exhorting, comforting, and establishing you] in regard to your faith,
• Matthew 20:16So those who are last [in this world] shall be first [in the world to come], and those who are first, last.”
• Matthew 22:14For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen.”
• Matthew 25:1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
• Luke 12:32Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Commentaries on Matthew 7:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14Because strait is the gate - Instead of because, I should prefer how, which reading is supported by a great majority of the best MSS., versions, and fathers. How strait is that gate! This mode of expression more forcibly points out the difficulty of the way to the kingdom. How strange is it that men should be unwilling to give up their worldly interests to secure their everlasting salvation! And yet no interest need be abandoned, but that which is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-14Verses 12-14 Christ came to teach us, not only what we are to know and believe, but what we are to do; not only toward God, but toward men; not only toward those of our party and persuasion, but toward men in general, all with whom we have to do. We must do that to our neighbour which we ourselves acknowledge to be fit and reasonable. We must, in our dealings with men, suppose ourselves in the same case and circumstances with those we have to do with, and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Only a few people accept the truth shown in Christ (see Matthew 19:23; 20:16; 22:14; see also John 3:19; 6:66–71).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life--In other words, the whole course is as difficult as the first step; and (so it comes to pass that). few there be that find it--The recommendation of the broad way is the ease with which it is trodden and the abundance of company to be found in it. It is sailing with a fair wind and a favorable tide. The natural inclinations are not crossed, and fears of the issue, if not…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 7:14

• Commandments
• Hell
• Highways
• Religion
• Righteous
• Strait Gate

In the dictionaries

• Ask
• Descend
• Destruction
• Eternal life
• Gather
• Judge
• Measure
• Mote
• None
• Profess

Commentaries on Matthew 7

• 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