God’s Word Translation
Matthew 7:14
14But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate.
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“Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is ⌞the meaning of⌟ Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets. 13“Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate. 15“Beware of false prophets. They come to you disguised as sheep, but in their hearts they are vicious wolves. 16You will know them by what they produce. “People don’t pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do they?
Read all of Matthew 7Matthew 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, “Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.
- Proverbs 4:26Carefully walk a straight path, and all your ways will be secure.
- Proverbs 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, on the paths of justice,
- Isaiah 30:21You will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left.”
- Isaiah 35:8A highway will be there, a roadway. It will be called the Holy Road. Sinners won’t travel on it. It will be for those who walk on it. Godless fools won’t wander ⌞onto it⌟.
- Isaiah 57:14It will be said: “Build a road! Build a road! Prepare the way! Remove every obstacle in the way of my people!”
- Jeremiah 6:16This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said that you wouldn’t live that way.
- Mark 8:34Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples. He said to them, “Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.
- John 15:18“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you.
- John 16:2You will be thrown out of synagogues. Certainly, the time is coming when people who murder you will think that they are serving God.
- Acts 14:22They strengthened the disciples in these cities and encouraged the disciples to remain faithful. Paul and Barnabas told them, “We must suffer a lot to enter God’s kingdom.”
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2we sent our brother Timothy to you. He serves God by spreading the Good News about Christ. His mission was to strengthen and encourage you in your faith
- Matthew 20:16“In this way the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
- Matthew 22:14“Therefore, many are invited, but few of those are chosen to stay.”
- Matthew 25:1“When the end comes, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids. They took their oil lamps and went to meet the groom.
- Luke 12:32Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased 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
In the dictionaries
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
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