Luke 13 24

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.

Luke 13:24 nkjv

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Luke 13:24 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.

Luke 13:24 esv

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

Luke 13:24 nlt

"Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

Luke 13 verses

Luke 13 24 Meaning

Luke 13:24 serves as a stern warning and a direct command from Jesus, urging His listeners to exert immense effort to enter the Kingdom of God. It signifies that the path to true salvation and eternal life is not broad and easy but narrow and demanding, requiring genuine and active commitment. Jesus reveals that many will desire to enter but will ultimately fail, implying that mere intention or superficial religious observance is insufficient for entrance.

Luke 13 24 Context

Luke 13:24 occurs within a section of Jesus' teachings as He journeys towards Jerusalem. The verse is a direct response to an anonymous question posed to Jesus in Luke 13:23: "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" Instead of giving a numerical answer, Jesus redirects the focus to the individual responsibility of His listeners, emphasizing the active effort required for salvation. This immediately precedes the parable of the master of the house shutting the door (Luke 13:25-30), which further elaborates on the urgency of entry and the irreversible consequences of delay or insufficient commitment. Historically and culturally, the Jewish people often believed that their ethnic descent from Abraham guaranteed their place in God's Kingdom (a common polemic addressed throughout the Gospels). Jesus' teaching here directly counters this, stressing personal righteousness and true discipleship over mere lineage or superficial association.

Luke 13 24 Word Analysis

• Strive (ἀγωνίζεσθε - agōnizesthe): This Greek word is in the imperative mood, indicating a command. It is the root of the English word "agonize" and implies an intense, fervent, and strenuous effort, like an athlete competing in the Olympic games (agōn). It suggests a life-long, spiritual battle requiring full commitment, determination, and perseverance. It means to contend with difficulty and danger, to struggle, fight, and exert oneself to the utmost. This isn't passive hope or gentle wishing, but an active, persistent engagement against spiritual opposition, fleshly desires, and worldly temptations.
• to enter (εἰσελθεῖν - eiselthein): This indicates a decisive act of gaining access, going into a place, or joining. It points to participation in the Kingdom of God, a transformative experience, not just proximity.
• through (διὰ - dia): Denotes the means or instrument by which something is achieved. Entry is gained "through" this specific, limited access point.
• the narrow (τῆς στενῆς - tēs stenēs): Adjective meaning "contracted, constricted, oppressive, difficult, narrow." It describes a challenging, confined, and straitened path, one that leaves no room for casual adherence or self-indulgence. It implies renunciation and sacrifice.
• door (θύρας - thyras): A physical opening or gate for passage. Biblically, "door" is often a metaphor for opportunity or access, specifically access to salvation or God's Kingdom. In John 10:9, Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as "the door," suggesting that entry into the Kingdom is only possible through Him and adherence to His teachings.
• for (ὅτι - hoti): A conjunction introducing the reason or explanation for the command given previously. It clarifies why the striving is necessary.
• many (πολλοί - polloi): A large number, a great multitude. This stands in stark contrast to "few" (Luke 13:23 and Matt 7:14) who actually find the path.
• I tell you (λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν - legō gar hymin): A common emphatic phrase used by Jesus to underscore the gravity and truth of His statement. It serves as a strong affirmation of divine authority.
• will seek (ζητήσουσιν - zētēsousin): Future tense, indicating future action. It means to desire, try to obtain, search for. It suggests effort, but not the same intense, focused, agonizing effort as "strive." Their "seeking" is revealed as ultimately ineffective.
• to enter (εἰσελθεῖν - eiselthein): The same verb as before, showing their desire for the same outcome, but their means are insufficient.
• and will not be able (καὶ οὐκ ἰσχύσουσιν - kai ouk iskhusousin): "Ouk iskhusousin" signifies a complete inability or lack of power/strength to accomplish something. This is a severe declaration; their seeking will not be successful, not because God denies them arbitrarily, but because their effort or their understanding of the door is flawed, delayed, or insufficient, preventing them from meeting the stringent requirements. The opportunity may also pass.

Word Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "Strive to enter through the narrow door": This phrase combines active command ("strive"), the goal ("enter"), and the singular, difficult path ("narrow door"). It signifies that salvation is not automatic, nor is it wide-open to all casual adherents. It demands spiritual rigor and dedication to Christ and His way, which often runs contrary to worldly desires.
• "many, I tell you, will seek to enter": This highlights the widespread desire for the benefits of salvation, implying a common, often mistaken, understanding of how to achieve it. Jesus' solemn "I tell you" lends weighty authority to this concerning prediction, pointing to a stark reality that superficial faith or belated attempts are inadequate.
• "and will not be able": This outcome emphasizes the serious consequence of failing to "strive" effectively when the opportunity is present. It implies that for these "many," the means or time for entry will be lost or insufficient. Their effort, though present in some form, lacks the necessary quality or timing to secure passage.

Luke 13 24 Bonus Section

The "narrow door" is implicitly and explicitly linked to Jesus Himself in John 10:9. To "strive to enter through the narrow door" means to commit wholly to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, aligning one's life with His teachings and walking in obedience to Him, embracing the inherent self-denial and discipline His call demands. The urgency is further highlighted by the coming "shut door" (Luke 13:25), underscoring that there is a finite time for sincere repentance and entry. The lack of "ability" (iskhusousin) for the many implies either a moral inability stemming from an unwillingness to truly surrender, or a practical inability because the specific period of opportunity will close, leaving no further means of access.

Luke 13 24 Commentary

Luke 13:24 profoundly reveals the true nature of discipleship and entry into God's Kingdom: it is neither casual nor automatic. Jesus issues a vital imperative, commanding intense and sustained spiritual struggle ("strive" - agōnizesthe), akin to an athlete competing for victory. This struggle involves repentance, submission to Christ's lordship, and living according to His challenging teachings, often contrary to human inclinations. The "narrow door" represents the demanding path of genuine faith in Christ, which necessitates self-denial and devotion. The harsh truth is that despite many desiring to be saved, a significant number will fall short. Their "seeking" lacks the true, dedicated "striving" required. This failure is not due to God's unwillingness, but to their insufficient engagement, misguided approach, or a fatal delay until the opportunity has passed. The verse acts as a strong call to examine one's commitment and pursue authentic discipleship with all diligence, while there is still time.