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

22Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 25When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26Then you will say, ‘But 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 21:36Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 32:25When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket.
• Matthew 11:12And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.
• John 6:27But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:24Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
• Philippians 2:12Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
• Colossians 1:29That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
• Hebrews 4:11So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
• 2 Peter 1:10So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
• Matthew 7:13“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
• Proverbs 1:24“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
• Proverbs 14:6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
• Proverbs 21:25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.
• Ecclesiastes 10:15Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home.
• Isaiah 1:15When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.
• Isaiah 58:2Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.

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