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

12In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets. 13“Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. 16You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?

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 wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
• Proverbs 4:26Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established.
• Proverbs 8:20I walk in the path of righteousness, in the pathway of justice,
• Isaiah 30:21You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left.
• Isaiah 35:8A thoroughfare will be there – it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it; it is reserved for those authorized to use it – fools will not stray into it.
• Isaiah 57:14He says, “Build it! Build it! Clear a way! Remove all the obstacles out of the way of my people!”
• Jeremiah 6:16The Lord said to his people: “You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it. If you do, you will find rest for your souls.” But they said, “We will not follow it!”
• Mark 8:34Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
• John 15:18“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first.
• John 16:2They will put you out of the synagogue, yet a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God.
• Acts 14:22They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.”
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith,
• Matthew 20:16So the last will be first, and the first last.”
• Matthew 22:14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
• Matthew 25:1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
• Luke 12:32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well 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

• 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