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 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

22And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26then you will begin to say, ‘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

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 21:36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 32:25Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.
• Matthew 11:12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
• John 6:27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
• Philippians 2:12Therefore, my beloved, 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 1:29To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
• Hebrews 4:11Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
• Matthew 7:13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
• Proverbs 1:24Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
• Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
• Proverbs 21:25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
• Ecclesiastes 10:15The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!
• Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
• Isaiah 58:2Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching 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