Luke 13:24

24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

Luke 13:24 in Other Translations

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

24 "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life - to God! - is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives.

24 Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

24 "Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won't succeed.

24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able

24 "Try very hard to enter through the narrow door. I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able to.

Luke 13:24 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 13:24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate
What is meant by the strait gate, and by entering in at it, (See Gill on Matthew 7:13). To "strive", is to be diligent in the use of means; to search the Scriptures with care; to attend on the preaching of the word with constancy, neglecting no opportunity; to pray earnestly for spiritual light, knowledge, and grace; to contend with every enemy that opposes the salvation of the soul, as sin, Satan, and the world; to bear all reproaches and persecutions, and press through all difficulties, for the prize of the incorruptible crown: the metaphor seems to be taken from the striving, wrestling, and combat in the Olympic games, for a corruptible crown:

for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able:
either when it is too late, when the door is shut; or else before, very faintly, in a superficial manner, from a mere natural affection, from a principle of self-love, which leads every one to desire happiness; and by very indirect and improper methods, by their own civility, morality, and righteousness; by works of the law, moral, or ceremonial; or by a profession of religion, and an outward compliance with the ordinances of the Gospel, and not by Christ, and faith in him.

Luke 13:24 In-Context

22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them,

24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

25 Once 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.’

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 7:13