Matthew 7:14 kjv

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

Matthew 7:14 nkjv

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:14 niv

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:14 esv

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 7:14 nlt

But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 14 Meaning

Matthew 7:14, within the Sermon on the Mount, contrasts the path to life with the path to destruction described in the preceding verse. It declares that the gate leading to genuine spiritual life and communion with God is "strait" or narrow, and the way itself is "narrow" or afflicted, making it difficult to traverse. Consequently, only a "few" people find this challenging path, highlighting that true discipleship requires significant commitment, self-denial, and perseverance, contrasting with the easier, more popular alternative that leads away from God.

Matthew 7 14 Context

Matthew 7:14 concludes Jesus' teaching on judging others and introduces the subsequent warning against false prophets, both crucial for discerning true discipleship. It stands as a stark antithesis to Matthew 7:13, which describes the "wide gate and broad way" leading to destruction. This two-ways imagery is common in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature and Jewish thought, depicting a fundamental choice between paths of life and death, righteousness and wickedness. Historically, Jesus' audience included devout Jews familiar with a religious system often characterized by external observance, making His call to a narrow, difficult path that prioritized internal transformation and sacrificial obedience a challenging counter-cultural message, distinct from popular religiosity that emphasized ease and self-righteousness.

Matthew 7 14 Word analysis

• Because (Ὅτι, Hoti): Introduces the reason for the exhortation to enter the narrow gate. It explains why one should strive for the difficult path—because the alternative is easier but fatal.
• strait (στενὴ, stenē): Meaning "narrow," "contracted," "confined," "constricted." It implies a restriction, making entry challenging due to its limited opening. This isn't merely physically small, but metaphorically implies a stringent requirement or limitation for entry. It points to exclusivity and a challenging barrier.
• is the gate (ἡ πύλη, hē pylē): "The gate" refers to the entrance, the point of decision and commitment. In the ancient world, gates marked entry into cities or important places. This "gate" is singular, indicating one unique point of entry to "life." It represents conversion, repentance, and faith in Christ—a definite decision to begin the journey.
• and narrow (καὶ τεθλιμμένη, kai tethlimmenē): This word is a perfect passive participle meaning "pressed," "afflicted," "distressed," "troubled," "cramped." Unlike stenē which describes the physical narrowness, tethlimmenē describes the experience of traversing the path. It is not just small, but also difficult, demanding, and arduous, implying pressures, opposition, and even tribulation for those who walk it. The KJV's single word "narrow" here for both might lose this nuance, but the Greek stresses affliction on the way.
• is the way (ἡ ὁδὸς, hē hodos): "The way" signifies the journey itself, the manner of life, the continuous course of Christian discipleship. It's not just the initial gate but the entire ongoing walk. This "way" involves practical obedience to Jesus' teachings given in the Sermon on the Mount, including love for enemies, humility, seeking righteousness, and surrendering selfish desires.
• which leadeth unto life (ἡ ἀπάγουσα εἰς τὴν ζωὴν, hē apogousa eis tēn zōēn): "Leadeth unto" means "to lead away," "to bring," "to conduct." "Life" (zōēn) here is not mere biological existence but eternal, spiritual life—a dynamic, intimate relationship with God, characterized by true fellowship and abundance, both in this age and the age to come. This is the ultimate, glorious destination of the difficult path.
• and few (καὶ ὀλίγοι, kai oligoi): Refers to a small number, a minority. This is a sober, realistic assessment by Jesus about the number of people who genuinely find and commit to this path. It does not imply God's unwillingness for many to be saved, but humanity's common resistance to the self-denying, cross-bearing demands of true discipleship.
• there be that find it (εἰσὶν οἱ εὑρίσκοντες αὐτήν, eisin hoi heuriskontes autēn): "Find it" implies an active seeking, discovery, or discernment. It suggests that merely hearing about the path is insufficient; one must genuinely discover or recognize it for what it is and commit to entering and walking it. Many may look, but few discern and embrace.

• "strait is the gate": Emphasizes the difficult and decisive initial choice of repentance and faith in Christ. It demands a definite breaking with the broad way of the world.
• "and narrow is the way": Describes the challenging nature of the Christian walk post-conversion. It signifies continuous self-denial, surrender, moral discipline, and often, the endurance of affliction for righteousness' sake.
• "which leadeth unto life": The glorious ultimate purpose of this difficult path. It is the journey towards true, eternal, and abundant life with God, transcending earthly difficulties.
• "and few there be that find it": A solemn statement highlighting the unpopularity and the exclusive nature of genuine discipleship, not due to divine restriction, but human rejection of its demands. This path is counter-cultural and demands true transformation.

Matthew 7 14 Bonus section

The distinction between the "gate" and the "way" is significant. The "gate" often represents initial conversion or faith in Jesus Christ—the single entrance point (John 10:9; John 14:6). The "way" refers to the subsequent journey of discipleship, a lifestyle of ongoing obedience, sanctification, and perseverance. Many are willing to acknowledge God, or even to attend religious gatherings, but "few" are willing to embrace the complete surrender, transformation, and lifelong commitment that characterizes walking the "narrow way." This teaching challenges any notion of an "easy" Christianity or a path to eternal life that does not involve genuine commitment and hardship. It underscores that God's grace, while free, demands a costly response from humanity, leading to a life lived counter to the world's values. It also contrasts deeply with legalistic paths (which can appear narrow but are devoid of Spirit-filled life) and antinomianism (which claims grace without transformation), by presenting a path defined by Christ-like character developed through active surrender.

Matthew 7 14 Commentary

Matthew 7:14 serves as a pivot in the Sermon on the Mount, transitioning from instructions on personal conduct to warnings about false spirituality. Jesus unequivocally states that the way to true spiritual life is restrictive and challenging. The "strait gate" represents a decisive moment of commitment to Christ, demanding repentance and abandonment of the broader path of self-interest and popular approval. It is not about simply assenting to doctrine, but yielding to His Lordship. The "narrow way" describes the subsequent journey of Christian discipleship, which is characterized by continuous self-denial, submission to God's will, and the often difficult process of spiritual transformation. The original Greek for "narrow" (τεθλιμμένη) powerfully conveys affliction, pressure, and tribulation, implying that the path is not merely inconvenient but will involve real suffering and hardship in a world opposed to Christ's values. This reality explains why "few" are found on it. This "few" is a prophetic observation about human nature's resistance to true surrender, not an indication of God's limited grace. The gate and the way are challenging because they demand everything: allegiance, character, and perseverance against both internal desires and external pressures, ultimately leading to eternal life that is incomparable to any worldly comfort.

Examples:

• A disciple choosing to forgive a severe wrong (Matt 6:14-15), rather than seeking retribution.
• Someone giving generously to the needy (Matt 6:2-4), not for recognition, but solely for God's glory.
• An individual enduring persecution for their faith (Matt 5:10-12) instead of compromising their beliefs to gain worldly favor.