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

12“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. 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. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. 15“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you 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, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
• Proverbs 4:26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
• Proverbs 8:20I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.
• Isaiah 30:21Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
• Isaiah 35:8And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.
• Isaiah 57:14God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.”
• Jeremiah 6:16This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
• Mark 8:34Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
• John 15:18“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
• John 16:2For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.
• Acts 14:22where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,
• Matthew 20:16“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”
• Matthew 22:14“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
• Matthew 25:1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
• Luke 12:32“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness 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