Matthew 7:13 kjv

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 7:13 nkjv

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

Matthew 7:13 niv

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Matthew 7:13 esv

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Matthew 7:13 nlt

"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.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 13 Meaning

Matthew 7:13 presents a profound choice between two distinct paths of life, each leading to an opposite eternal destination. The "narrow gate" and "hard road" symbolize a life of intentional discipleship, obedience to Christ's demanding teachings, self-denial, and righteousness, which ultimately leads to "life" with God. In stark contrast, the "wide gate" and "broad road" represent a way of living characterized by ease, compromise with sin, worldly conformity, and self-gratification, leading inevitably to "destruction" or eternal ruin and separation from God. The verse is an urgent call to choose the difficult path of truth over the popular and seemingly convenient path of perdition.

Matthew 7 13 Context

Matthew 7:13 marks a critical exhortation within the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), serving as a climax that demands a response from the listeners who have just heard Jesus' radical teachings on kingdom righteousness. It follows discussions on discerning judgment and avoiding spiritual complacency, immediately preceding warnings about false prophets (Matt 7:15) and the necessity of doing, not just hearing, the Lord's will (Matt 7:21-27). This passage acts as a direct call to action, compelling individuals to make an earnest choice concerning their allegiance and the direction of their lives. Historically and culturally, the Jewish understanding often connected national identity with a guaranteed path to salvation. Jesus' words here dismantle such complacency, emphasizing a personal, arduous commitment to the principles of the Kingdom that challenges the popular, easy assumptions of his day. It is a polemic against any belief system, then or now, that offers salvation without a cost or a transformation of life.

Matthew 7 13 Word analysis

• "Enter" (εἰσέλθετε - eiselthete): An imperative verb, conveying a strong command. It demands a deliberate, active, and personal decision to initiate the journey. It's not a passive observation but an urgent call for engagement.

• "through" (διά - dia): Indicates the specific means or channel for entrance. The gate is not just a destination, but the only access point to the intended path.

• "the narrow" (στενῆς - stenes): Restricted, constricted, straitened, difficult. This doesn't imply physical smallness but symbolic difficulty, demandingness, and lack of space for compromise or worldly pleasures. It requires discipline, self-denial, and genuine repentance.

• "gate" (πύλης - pylēs): An entry point, a threshold. Metaphorically, it represents the initial decision or commitment to following Christ, embodying salvation or the embrace of Kingdom principles.

• "For" (γὰρ - gar): A causal conjunction, providing the reason for the command given in the preceding phrase. "Because..."

• "wide" (πλατύς - platys): Broad, spacious, expansive. Implies ease, comfort, and an accommodating nature, contrasting sharply with "narrow." This way caters to human self-will and natural inclinations.

• "is the gate" (πύλης - pylēs): Another gate, presented as an alternative. It represents an alluring entry point, easily accessible and popular, appealing to those seeking minimal resistance.

• "and broad" (εὐρύχωρος - eurychoros): Having wide room or ample space. Reinforces the idea of convenience, freedom from constraint, and the lack of spiritual demand on the journey.

• "is the road" (ὁδός - hodos): A path or way, often signifying a lifestyle or course of conduct. This describes the continuous journey of one who chose the wide gate—a life lived according to worldly principles.

• "that leads to" (ἀπάγουσα εἰς - apagousa eis): "Leading away to" or "carrying to." This active participle denotes a definitive, certain progression towards a final destination or consequence.

• "destruction" (ἀπώλειαν - apōleian): Ruin, perishing, eternal loss. Not annihilation, but a state of being eternally lost, utterly ruined, separated from God and the full realization of His presence and blessing. It's the ultimate undoing and antithesis of life.

• "and many" (καὶ πολλοί - kai polloi): A great number, a multitude. Highlights the widespread nature and popularity of this easy, destructive path. This serves as a warning against conformity to popular trends when spiritual matters are concerned.

• "enter through it" (οἱ εἰσερχόμενοι δι᾽ αὐτῆς - hoi eiserchomenoi di' autēs): "Those entering by means of it." Describes the active choice and ongoing procession of a large number of people on the wide and broad way.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Enter through the narrow gate": This phrase serves as a divine command for intentional and arduous commitment to God's Kingdom. It highlights that discipleship is not automatic or superficial; it demands a decisive, challenging entry point marked by repentance and radical reorientation of life toward Christ.
  • "For wide is the gate and broad is the road": This explains the preceding command by presenting the formidable alternative. It describes the deceptive attractiveness of the world's path, which promises ease and accommodates all desires. The wide gate is appealing because it demands nothing, and the broad road is comfortable because it tolerates everything.
  • "that leads to destruction": This identifies the terrifying and ultimate consequence of choosing the path of ease and popularity. "Destruction" is the ultimate spiritual ruin, total loss, and eternal separation from God's presence, indicating a perishing from meaningful, abundant, eternal life.
  • "and many enter through it": This is a stark, sobering truth about human nature and the spiritual realm. Popularity, comfort, or majority consent are no indicators of truth or salvation in God's eyes. It cautions against following the crowd and emphasizes the narrowness of true faith's appeal.

Matthew 7 13 Bonus section

The "two ways" teaching in Matthew 7:13-14 is not unique to the New Testament; it echoes ancient wisdom traditions, prominently featuring in Old Testament texts like Psalm 1 and Proverbs, where a clear dichotomy is presented between the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked. This consistent biblical theme underscores a fundamental principle of creation: that human beings are always presented with moral choices leading to differing consequences. Furthermore, this passage implicitly confronts any form of cheap grace or automatic salvation. It dispels the notion that being part of a specific religious group or having a nominal belief guarantees entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rather, Jesus highlights that the entrance requires a decisive, transformative commitment and that the subsequent walk demands continuous effort, adherence to challenging truths, and an authentic Christ-like life. The "gate" implies an initial, decisive step, while the "road" speaks to the entire trajectory and ongoing reality of one's chosen lifestyle.

Matthew 7 13 Commentary

Matthew 7:13 is a forceful summary of the ethical and spiritual demands outlined in the Sermon on the Mount, forcing listeners to confront a non-negotiable choice. Jesus reveals that while there are two distinct ways of life available to humanity, only one leads to true life. The narrow gate represents the rigorous, disciplined, and sometimes uncomfortable path of true discipleship – one marked by self-denial, righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, sincere love for God and neighbor, and faithful obedience to Christ's teachings. This way often contradicts the world's values and pressures, hence its "narrowness" and difficulty. In contrast, the wide gate and broad road embody a path of least resistance, catering to human comfort, sin, and a superficial religiosity that avoids true transformation. It is appealing to the "many" due to its inclusivity of worldly desires and lack of moral stringency. However, its attractive ease is a tragic deception, leading certainly to eternal "destruction," which is an utter, everlasting loss of being in right relationship with God. This verse calls for deep self-examination, active commitment, and perseverance in a faith that costs, acknowledging that popularity in the world rarely aligns with spiritual truth.

• Examples:
  • Choosing to walk away from tempting opportunities for unethical gain despite popular acceptance of such practices (narrow way).
  • Prioritizing quiet time with God and spiritual growth even when modern life constantly tempts with distractions and entertainment (narrow way).
  • Maintaining biblical truth in the face of societal pressures to conform to evolving moral standards (narrow way).