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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

Context of Luke 13:24

22Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26“Then 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 always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 32:25When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
• Matthew 11:12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.
• John 6:27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
• Philippians 2:12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
• Colossians 1:29To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
• Hebrews 4:11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,
• Matthew 7:13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
• Proverbs 1:24But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
• Proverbs 14:6The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
• Proverbs 21:25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
• Ecclesiastes 10:15The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.
• Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!
• Isaiah 58:2For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come 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