Luke 13:24

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

22Then Jesus traveled and taught in one city and village after another on his way to Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, “Sir, are only a few people going to be saved?” He answered, “Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won’t succeed. 25After the homeowner gets up and closes the door, ⌞it’s too late⌟. You can stand outside, knock at the door, and say, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ But he will answer you, ‘I don’t know who you are.’ 26Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

Luke 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 21:36Be alert at all times. Pray so that you have the power to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand in front of the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 32:25When the man saw that he could not win against Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that it was dislocated as they wrestled.
• Matthew 11:12From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it.
• John 6:27Don’t work for food that spoils. Instead, work for the food that lasts into eternal life. This is the food the Son of Man will give you. After all, the Father has placed his seal of approval on him.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:24Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win.
• Philippians 2:12My dear friends, you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I’m absent. In the same way continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
• Colossians 1:29I work hard and struggle to do this while his mighty power works in me.
• Hebrews 4:11So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers and sisters, use more effort to make God’s calling and choosing of you secure. If you keep doing this, you will never fall away.
• Matthew 7:13“Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate.
• Proverbs 1:24“I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention.
• Proverbs 14:6A mocker searches for wisdom without finding it, but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding.
• Proverbs 21:25The desire of a lazy person will kill him because his hands refuse to work.
• Ecclesiastes 10:15Fools wear themselves out with hard work, because they don’t even know the way to town.
• Isaiah 1:15So when you stretch out your hands ⌞in prayer⌟, I will turn my eyes away from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are covered with blood.
• Isaiah 58:2They look for me every day and want to know my ways. They act as if they were a nation that has done what is right and as if they haven’t disregarded God’s judgment ⌞on them⌟. They ask me for just decrees. They want God to be near them.

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

• Formalism
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Judgment
• Reprobacy
• Seekers
• Self-Delusion
• Strait Gate
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Agony
• Bind
• Nay
• Repent
• Able
• Jesus Christ
• Luke, the Gospel of
• Mark, the Gospel According to
• Martha
• Punishment, Everlasting

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