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Read the Bible
King James Version
Matthew 7:14
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- InternationalDevotionals:
- ChipParallel Translations
How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth vnto life, and few there be that finde it.
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
"For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.
"But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.
Because the gate is streight, and the way narowe that leadeth vnto life, and fewe there be that finde it.
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it.
but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
For narrow the gate and straitened the way that leads to life, and they are few who find it.
But the gate that opens the way to true life is narrow. And the road that leads there is hard to follow. Only a few people find it.
O how narrow is the door, and how difficult is the road which carries to life, and few are those who are found on it.
But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.
because narrow is the gate and constricted is the road that leads to life, and there are few who find it!
For narrow is the gate, and constricted is the way that leads away into life, and few are the ones finding it.
For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
For narrow is the door and hard the road to life, and only a small number make discovery of it.
How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.
How narrow is the gate and how constricted is the road that leads to life, and few are the people who find it!"
How small is the gate, and narrow the way, that leadeth unto salvation; and they are few who find it !
How small the gate and straitened the way that leadeth to life, and few they who find it!
Because, strayte is the gate, and narowe is the way, which leadeth vnto lyfe, and fewe there be that fynde it.
For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few be they that find it.
How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.
Because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to life, and few there are that find it.
because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it.
Hou streit is the yate, and narwy the weye, that ledith to lijf, and ther ben fewe that fynden it.
How narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leads to life, and few are those that find it.
Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth to life, and few there are that find it.
How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it!
Because [fn] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
But the door is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life that lasts forever. Few people are finding it.
For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Because, narrow, is the gate, and, confined, the way, that leadeth unto life, - and, few, are they who find, it.
How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
But strayte is the gate and narowe ys the waye which leadeth vnto lyfe: and feawe there be that fynde it.
how strait [is] the gate, and compressed the way that is leading to the life, and few are those finding it!
But strayte is the gate, and narowe ys the waye, which leadeth vnto lyfe, and fewe there be that fynde it.
but the gate which leads to life is narrow, and the way is difficult, and few there be that find it.
But the gate to life is narrow and the trail is rough and steep. Only a few will ever find it or be able to follow it.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
because: or, How
narrow: Matthew 16:24, Matthew 16:25, Proverbs 4:26, Proverbs 4:27, Proverbs 8:20, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 35:8, Isaiah 57:14, Jeremiah 6:16, Mark 8:34, John 15:18-20, John 16:2, John 16:33, Acts 14:22, 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5
and few: Matthew 20:16, Matthew 22:14, Matthew 25:1-12, Luke 12:32, Luke 13:23-30, Romans 9:27-29, Romans 9:32, Romans 11:5, Romans 11:6, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:3, 1 Peter 3:20, 1 Peter 3:21
Reciprocal: Genesis 18:24 - there Numbers 3:39 - and Aaron Numbers 4:48 - General Deuteronomy 7:7 - ye were Ezra 10:13 - the people Psalms 1:1 - way Psalms 16:11 - path Psalms 139:24 - the way Proverbs 2:9 - General Proverbs 9:6 - in Proverbs 14:12 - General Proverbs 15:24 - way Isaiah 1:9 - a very Isaiah 24:6 - and few Isaiah 41:14 - men Ezekiel 5:3 - a few Ezekiel 12:16 - I will Ezekiel 42:4 - a way Matthew 7:24 - whosoever Luke 13:24 - the strait Acts 16:17 - the way Romans 3:17 - General 2 Peter 2:2 - ways
Cross-References
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.
Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,
There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,.... And so, difficult to enter in at; and when entered, the way is unpleasant to the flesh to walk in, being hedged up on each side with afflictions and tribulations; and moreover, is like the "narrow place", or στενος τοπος, "the strait place", as the Septuagint in
Numbers 22:26 render it; in which the angel that met Balaam stood; and in which there was no turning to the right hand or the left; and such is the way to eternal happiness. The great encouragement to walk on in it is, because it is that way
which leadeth unto life: unto eternal life: it certainly leads thither; it never fails of bringing persons to it; believers in Christ, all that walk in Christ the way, though they are said to be "scarcely" saved, by reason of their afflictions and trials, they meet with in their way to the kingdom; yet they are, and shall be certainly saved: they shall be safely brought to glory; which will be an abundant recompense for all the troubles and sorrows that have attended them in their journey.
And few there be that find it; the way, and so consequently the life it leads to. "The gate is strait"; small and little, and so unobserved: there is but one way to heaven, and the generality of men neglect it. "The way is narrow", and so disagreeable; the company few, and not engaging. Men choose large gates, broad ways, and much company. The flesh loves to walk at liberty, unconfined, and uncontrolled, and with a multitude to do evil: hence, Zion's ways are thin of passengers; a small number, comparatively speaking, walk thereto, and will be saved; a remnant, a little flock, a little city, and few men in it. It is asked in the Talmud q,
"why is the world to come created with "jod?" (the least of the letters in the "Hebrew alphabet") the answer is, because צדיקים שבו מועטים, "the righteous which are in it are few".''
Some read the words, as the Syriac, Arabic, and Vulgate Latin, with a note of admiration, "how strait is the gate!" &c. and so some copies.
q T. Bab. Menachot, fol. 29. 2.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Enter ye in at the strait gate - Christ here compares the way to life to an entrance through a gate. The words “straight” and “strait” have very different meanings. The former means “not crooked;” the latter, “pent up, narrow, difficult to be entered.” This is the word used here, and it means that the way to heaven is “pent up, narrow, close,” and not obviously entered. The way to death is open, broad, and thronged. The Saviour here referred probably to ancient cities. They were surrounded with walls and entered through gates. Some of those, connected with the great avenues to the city, were broad and admitted a throng; others, for more private purposes, were narrow, and few would be seen entering them. So, says Christ, is the path to heaven. It is narrow. It is not “the great highway” that people tread. Few go there. Here and there one may be seen - traveling in solitude and singularity. The way to death, on the other hand, is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which people go. They fall into it easily and without effort, and go without thought. If they wish to leave that and go by a narrow gate to the city, it would require effort and thought. So, says Christ, “diligence” is needed to enter life. See Luke 13:24. None go of course. All must strive, to obtain it; and so narrow, unfrequented, and solitary is it, that few find it. This sentiment has been beautifully versified by Watts:
“Broad is the road that leads to death,
And thousands walk together there;
But wisdom shows a narrower path,
With here and there a traveler.”
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 7:14. Because strait is the gate — Instead of οτι because, I should prefer τι 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 produced by injustice and unkindness. Reason, as well as God, says, such people should be excluded from a place of blessedness. He who shows no mercy (and much more he who shows no justice) shall have judgment without mercy. James 2:13.
Few there be that find it. — The strait gate, στενη πυλη, signifies literally what we call a wicket, i.e. a little door in a large gate. Gate, among the Jews, signifies, metaphorically, the entrance, introduction, or means of acquiring any thing. So they talk of the gate of repentance, the gate of prayers, and the gate of tears. When God, say they, shut the gate of paradise against Adam, He opened to him the gate of repentance. The way to the kingdom of God is made sufficiently manifest - the completest assistance is promised in the way, and the greatest encouragement to persevere to the end is held out in the everlasting Gospel. But men are so wedded to their own passions, and so determined to follow the imaginations of their own hearts, that still it may be said: There are few who find the way to heaven; fewer yet who abide any time in it; fewer still who walk in it; and fewest of all who persevere unto the end. Nothing renders this way either narrow or difficult to any person, but sin. Let all the world leave their sins, and all the world may walk abreast in this good way.
