Luke 13:24

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Strive {G75} to enter in {G1525} at {G1223} the strait {G4728} gate {G4439}: for {G3754} many {G4183}, I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, will seek {G2212} to enter in {G1525}, and {G2532} shall {G2480} not {G3756} be able {G2480}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He answered, “Struggle to get in through the narrow door, because — I’m telling you! — many will be demanding to get in and won’t be able to,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:24 delivers a powerful and challenging imperative from Jesus, urging His listeners to engage in a strenuous and persistent effort to enter God's Kingdom through a demanding path. This verse serves as a stark warning that while many may desire or superficially seek salvation, only those who commit to the intense spiritual struggle required will ultimately succeed, highlighting the narrowness of the way and the seriousness of discipleship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a larger discourse in [Luke 13](/luke/13 "Luke 13 - Repentance and the Kingdom of God") where Jesus addresses various topics related to repentance, the nature of the Kingdom of God, and the urgency of responding to His call. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus is asked, "Lord, are there few that be saved?" (Luke 13:23). Rather than providing a numerical answer, Jesus redirects the focus from speculative curiosity to personal responsibility and the demanding nature of true discipleship. The teaching on the "strait gate" is followed by a parable about a master shutting his door against those who come too late (Luke 13:25-30), emphasizing the finality of judgment and the importance of timely action. This entire section underscores the critical need for genuine repentance and committed obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of salvation was often tied to national identity and lineage, with many Jews believing their heritage guaranteed them a place in God's Kingdom. Jesus' teaching here directly challenges such assumptions, asserting that entry is not automatic or based on birthright, but on individual, active commitment. The imagery of a "gate" was familiar; city gates were points of entry and control, often narrow, especially fortified ones. The "strait gate" would have evoked the idea of a difficult, perhaps even dangerous, passage, contrasting sharply with the broad, easy paths of popular opinion or worldly compromise. This message would have been particularly jarring to those who expected an inclusive, effortless entry into the Messianic age.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 13:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' broader teaching. It underscores the **Exclusivity and Demanding Nature of the Kingdom of God**, asserting that the path to salvation is not wide and accommodating but narrow and requiring radical commitment, echoing similar warnings found in [Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow and Wide Gates"). It also highlights the **Urgency of Repentance and Decision**, implying a limited window of opportunity for genuine transformation before the door is shut, a theme further developed in the parable of the Great Banquet in [Luke 14:15-24](/luke/14-15-24 "Luke 14:15-24 - The Parable of the Great Banquet"). Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **Personal Responsibility and Active Discipleship**, moving beyond passive assent to faith towards a life characterized by intentional effort and perseverance in following Christ, a call to action consistent with Jesus' teachings on the cost of discipleship throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strive (Greek, _agōnízomai'_):** This word (G75) means to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something). It conveys intense effort, like an athlete competing in the Greek games, pushing to the point of agony. It implies a wholehearted, fervent, and persistent engagement, not a casual or half-hearted attempt.
* **Strait (Greek, _stenós'_):** This adjective (G4728) means narrow or restricted, derived from the idea of obstacles standing close about. It describes the gate as constricted, difficult to pass through, and not wide enough for crowds or for those carrying the baggage of worldly desires and sin. It signifies a demanding and exclusive path that requires shedding encumbrances.
* **Seek (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This verb (G2212) means to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life). In this context, it refers to a desire or attempt to enter, but without the necessary intensity or commitment implied by "strive." It suggests a superficial or insufficient effort, perhaps a mere intellectual acknowledgment or a wish, rather than a transformative pursuit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Strive to enter in at the strait gate:"** This is an imperative command, a direct instruction from Jesus. "Strive" (ἀγωνίζομαι) denotes an intense, agonizing effort, like an athlete competing for a prize. It signifies that entry into the Kingdom of God is not effortless but requires fervent dedication, self-denial, and perseverance. The "strait gate" (πύλη στενός) is a powerful metaphor for the narrow, difficult, and demanding path of true discipleship, which necessitates repentance, faith, and obedience, often in opposition to worldly values and desires.
* **"for many, I say unto you,"** This clause introduces a sobering contrast and a prophetic warning. Jesus asserts His authority ("I say unto you") to underscore the gravity of His statement. The "many" (πολύς) refers to a significant number of people who, despite their desire or expectation, will ultimately fail to enter. This challenges the common assumption that salvation is easily attained or guaranteed by mere association or nominal belief.
* **"will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."** This final clause highlights the futility of a casual or insufficient approach. These "many" will "seek" (ζητέω) to enter, implying a desire or an attempt, but their effort will fall short. The inability to enter (οὐκ ἰσχύω — "shall not be able") is not due to God's unwillingness, but to their own failure to meet the demanding nature of the "strait gate." This failure stems from a lack of the intense, transformative striving required, perhaps clinging to sin, worldly comforts, or a superficial understanding of faith.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 13:24 is rich with **Metaphor** and **Contrast**. The central metaphor is the "**strait gate**," which vividly represents the demanding and exclusive nature of the path to salvation and true discipleship. It implies a narrow way that requires intentionality, sacrifice, and a shedding of anything that hinders passage, contrasting sharply with a broad, easy path. The verse also employs a powerful **Contrast** between "strive" (ἀγωνίζομαι), which denotes intense, agonizing effort, and "seek" (ζητέω), which suggests a less committed or superficial attempt. This highlights the difference between genuine, transformative commitment and mere intellectual assent or casual desire. Furthermore, the contrast between "many" who will "not be able" and the implied few who will succeed serves as a stark **Admonition** and **Warning**, challenging complacency and emphasizing the seriousness of one's spiritual journey.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:24 profoundly shapes our understanding of salvation, discipleship, and divine judgment. It underscores that while salvation is a gift of God's grace, it demands an active, wholehearted response from humanity. The "strait gate" signifies that the path to God's Kingdom is exclusive, not in the sense of God's unwillingness to save, but in the sense that it requires conformity to Christ's teachings and a radical reorientation of one's life away from sin and self. This striving is not about earning salvation through works, but about demonstrating the authentic fruit of a transformed heart and a genuine commitment to following Jesus, even when it is difficult. It highlights the tension between God's sovereign grace and human responsibility, calling believers to diligent perseverance in faith.

* [Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow and Wide Gates"): "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
* [Philippians 2:12](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12 - Work Out Your Salvation"): "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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."
* [2 Peter 1:10](/2_peter/1-10 "2 Peter 1:10 - Make Your Calling and Election Sure"): "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:24 serves as a profound call to self-examination and a stirring challenge to our spiritual complacency. It compels us to ask if our faith is merely a passive assent or a vibrant, active pursuit of God's will. The command to "strive" reminds us that while salvation is freely offered through grace, it demands a radical, ongoing commitment to Christ that involves denying self, taking up our cross daily, and persevering through trials. This striving is not about earning our way into heaven, but about demonstrating the authenticity of our faith through a life of obedience, holiness, and relentless pursuit of God. It calls us to confront any areas where we might be taking the path of least resistance or clinging to worldly comforts that hinder our spiritual progress. Our daily lives should reflect this earnest struggle against sin and for righteousness, ensuring that our desire to enter the Kingdom is matched by a genuine, transformative effort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I "seeking" to enter God's will rather than "striving" with wholehearted effort?**
* **What "baggage" or worldly attachments might be preventing me from passing through the "strait gate" more freely?**
* **How does my daily walk demonstrate a genuine, active pursuit of Christ, rather than a passive or complacent faith?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a more intense and persevering commitment to discipleship?**

### FAQ

**Does Luke 13:24 teach salvation by works?**

Answer: No, Luke 13:24 does not teach salvation by works in the sense of earning God's favor through human effort. Instead, it speaks to the nature of genuine faith and discipleship. Salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, true faith is never passive; it is active and transformative. The "striving" (ἀγωνίζομαι) refers to the intense, lifelong effort required to live out that faith, to obey Christ, to resist sin, and to persevere in the narrow path. It is the fruit and evidence of salvation, not its cause. Those who "seek" but "are not able" may desire the benefits of salvation without being willing to embrace the radical demands of discipleship and genuine repentance.

**What is the "strait gate" a metaphor for?**

Answer: The "strait gate" is a powerful metaphor for the narrow and demanding path of true discipleship and entry into the Kingdom of God. It signifies that the way to salvation is not broad, easy, or accommodating to all worldly desires and compromises. Rather, it requires a decisive turning from sin, a surrender to Christ's lordship, and a willingness to live a life of obedience that often goes against the grain of popular culture. This imagery is consistent with other teachings of Jesus, such as in [Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow and Wide Gates"), where the narrow gate leads to life, while the wide gate leads to destruction. It implies that genuine entry demands a shedding of anything that hinders one's complete devotion to Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:24, with its call to "strive to enter in at the strait gate," finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Jesus Christ Himself. He is not merely the one who points to the gate, but He is the Gate (John 10:9). It is through Him, and Him alone, that access to the Father and eternal life is granted. The "strait gate" is essentially the path of following Jesus, who embodies the narrow way of righteousness, self-denial, and obedience to God's will. His entire earthly life was an agonizing "striving"—from His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) to His fervent prayers in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44), where He agonized over the cup of suffering. His ultimate striving culminated in His death on the cross, where He perfectly fulfilled the Father's will, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to open the way for us. Thus, our striving is not a struggle to earn salvation, but a Spirit-empowered response to the One who has already accomplished our salvation. We strive to walk in His footsteps, to pattern our lives after His perfect obedience, and to live out the new life He has freely given us through His grace, knowing that He is our strength to endure the narrow way (Philippians 4:13) and the one who guarantees our ultimate entry (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:13

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:14

Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

2 Peter 1:10

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Hebrews 4:11

¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

1 Corinthians 9:24

¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.