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

22And He was passing through one city and village after another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin standing outside and knocking on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ and He then will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26Then you will begin saying, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, 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

• Striveἀγωνίζομαιagōnizomai · to struggleG75
• to enterεἰσέρχομαιeiserchomai · to enterG1525
• throughδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• the narrowστενόςstenos · narrowG4728
• doorθύραthura · doorG2374
• for manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• I tellλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• you, will seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
• and will not beἰσχύωischuō · be strongG2480

Cross-references for Luke 13:24

• Luke 21:36But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 32:25When the man saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him.
• Matthew 11:12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.
• John 6:27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
• Philippians 2:12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
• Colossians 1:29For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me.
• Hebrews 4:11Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
• Matthew 7:13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
• Proverbs 1:24Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
• Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.
• Proverbs 21:25The desire of the lazy one puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;
• Ecclesiastes 10:15The labor of a fool makes him so weary that he does not even know how to go to a city.
• Isaiah 1:15So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are covered with blood.
• Isaiah 58:2Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways, As a nation that has done righteousness And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God. They ask Me for just decisions, 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

• 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