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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Context of Matthew 7:14

12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 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. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

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, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
• Proverbs 4:26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
• Proverbs 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
• Isaiah 30:21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
• Isaiah 35:8And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.
• Isaiah 57:14And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
• Jeremiah 6:16This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
• Mark 8:34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
• John 15:18“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
• John 16:2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
• Acts 14:22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
• Matthew 20:16“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
• Matthew 22:14“For many are invited, 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 has been 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