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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/40_Mat_07_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 7:14 - The Narrow Gate" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm" title="Matthew 7:13">◄</a> Matthew 7:14 <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm" title="Matthew 7:15">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/7.htm">New International Version</a> But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. <a href="/nlt/matthew/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. <a href="/esv/matthew/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. <a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For small is the gate and narrow the way leading to life, and few are those finding it. <a href="/kjv/matthew/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/7.htm">New King James Version</a> Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. <a href="/nasb/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. <a href="/lsb/matthew/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. <a href="/amp/matthew/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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. <a href="/csb/matthew/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. <a href="/asv/matthew/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. <a href="/cev/matthew/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/matthew/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few be they that find it. <a href="/gwt/matthew/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate. <a href="/gnt/matthew/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it. <a href="/isv/matthew/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> How narrow is the gate and how constricted is the road that leads to life, and there aren't many people who find it!" <a href="/msb/matthew/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. <a href="/net/matthew/7.htm">NET Bible</a> But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. <a href="/nheb/matthew/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> How narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way that leads to life. Few are those who find it. <a href="/wbt/matthew/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there are that find it. <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it. <a href="/web/matthew/7.htm">World English Bible</a> How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> how narrow [is] the gate and compressed the way that is leading to life, and few are those finding it! <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For small is the gate and narrow the way leading to life, and few are those finding it. <a href="/ylt/matthew/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> how strait is the gate, and compressed the way that is leading to the life, and few are those finding it! <a href="/slt/matthew/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For strait the gate and afflicted the way leading into life, and few are they finding it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it! <a href="/cpdv/matthew/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> How narrow is the gate, and how straight is the way, which leads to life, and few there are who find it! <a href="/nabre/matthew/7.htm">New American Bible</a> How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> 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. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> How narrow is the gate and strict the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it!<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> How strait is the gate, and how narrow the way, that leads to life! and few there are that find it.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Because narrow is the gate, and contracted the way, that leadeth into life, and few there are who find it.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> because strait is the gate, and narrow the road, which leadeth to life, and they are but a few who find it.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but the gate which leads to life is narrow, and the way is difficult, and few there be that find it. <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it. <a href="/worrell/matthew/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>because narrow is the gate, and straitened the way that leads to life, and few there are who find it!<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>whereas the gate is narrow, and the way troublesome, which leadeth into life, and few there be that find it.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/7-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1631" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">The Narrow Gate</a> 13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14<a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">But</a> <a href="/greek/4728.htm" title="4728: stenē (Adj-NFS) -- Narrow, strait. Probably from the base of histemi; narrow.">small is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4439.htm" title="4439: pylē (N-NFS) -- A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance.">gate</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2346.htm" title="2346: tethlimmenē (V-RPM/P-NFS) -- (a) I make narrow (strictly: by pressure); I press upon, (b) I persecute, press hard. Akin to the base of tribos; to crowd.">narrow</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodos (N-NFS) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">way</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">that</a> <a href="/greek/520.htm" title="520: apagousa (V-PPA-NFS) -- To lead, carry, take away; met: To be led astray, seduced. From apo and ago; to take off.">leads</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3641.htm" title="3641: oligoi (Adj-NMP) -- Puny; especially neuter somewhat.">only a few</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heuriskontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">find</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it.</a> 15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Luke 13:24</a> “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. <a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Proverbs 4:18-19</a> The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. / But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. <a href="/psalms/16-11.htm">Psalm 16:11</a> You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. <a href="/john/10-9.htm">John 10:9</a> I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. <a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a> And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it. <a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Acts 14:22</a> strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. <a href="/philippians/3-13.htm">Philippians 3:13-14</a> Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, / I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. <a href="/2_peter/1-10.htm">2 Peter 1:10-11</a> Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, / and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. <a href="/romans/8-18.htm">Romans 8:18</a> I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. <a href="/hebrews/12-1.htm">Hebrews 12:1-2</a> Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. / Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. <a href="/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18</a> And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” <a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a> This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ <a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</a> I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, / and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” <a href="/psalms/1-6.htm">Psalm 1:6</a> For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.because.<a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24,25</a> Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me… <a href="/proverbs/4-26.htm">Proverbs 4:26,27</a> Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established… <a href="/proverbs/8-20.htm">Proverbs 8:20</a> I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:and few.<a href="/matthew/20-16.htm">Matthew 20:16</a> So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.<a href="/matthew/22-14.htm">Matthew 22:14</a> For many are called, but few are chosen.<a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-12</a> Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Contracted</a> <a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Discovery</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Door</a> <a href="/daniel/11-23.htm">Few</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Find</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Finding</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Narrow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-5.htm">Restricted</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Road</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-10.htm">Small</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Strait</a> <a href="/micah/2-7.htm">Straitened</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Contracted</a> <a href="/john/1-45.htm">Discovery</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Door</a> <a href="/matthew/9-37.htm">Few</a> <a href="/matthew/10-11.htm">Find</a> <a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Finding</a> <a href="/luke/7-12.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/matthew/12-20.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Narrow</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-12.htm">Restricted</a> <a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Road</a> <a href="/matthew/9-35.htm">Small</a> <a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Strait</a> <a href="/luke/12-50.htm">Straitened</a> <a href="/matthew/8-4.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 7</div>1. <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Do Not Judge</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Enter through the Narrow Gate</a> 15. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">A Tree and Its Fruit</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">The Wise and the Foolish Builders</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But small is the gate The imagery of a small gate suggests exclusivity and difficulty in entry. In ancient cities, gates were often narrow to control access and protect from invaders. This metaphor indicates that entering the kingdom of heaven requires intentionality and effort. The small gate contrasts with the wide gate mentioned earlier in the passage, symbolizing the ease of following worldly desires. This aligns with Jesus' teachings on the need for repentance and transformation (<a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Matthew 4:17</a>).and narrow the way The narrow way implies a path that is restrictive and challenging. In biblical times, roads were often treacherous and required careful navigation. This metaphor suggests that following Christ involves discipline, sacrifice, and adherence to His teachings. The narrow way is reminiscent of the call to take up one's cross and follow Jesus (<a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24</a>), emphasizing the cost of discipleship and the need for perseverance.that leads to life Life here refers to eternal life, a central theme in Jesus' teachings. This life is not just an extension of existence but a quality of life characterized by a relationship with God. The narrow way leading to life contrasts with the broad way leading to destruction, highlighting the ultimate reward for those who choose to follow Christ. This echoes the promise of abundant life found in <a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a> and the assurance of eternal life in <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>.and only a few find it This phrase underscores the reality that not everyone will choose the path of righteousness. The use of "few" indicates that true discipleship is rare and requires a conscious decision to follow Christ. This reflects the biblical theme of the remnant, a faithful minority who remain true to God amidst widespread unbelief (<a href="/romans/11-5.htm">Romans 11:5</a>). It also serves as a warning and a call to evangelism, urging believers to guide others toward the narrow way.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of teachings and sayings of Jesus. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The primary audience of the Sermon on the Mount, representing followers of Jesus who are learning about the Kingdom of God. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_narrow_gate.htm">The Narrow Gate</a> A metaphorical representation of the path to eternal life, characterized by its difficulty and exclusivity. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_broad_road.htm">The Broad Road</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, it is implied as the alternative path that leads to destruction, as described in the preceding verse. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_heaven.htm">The Kingdom of Heaven</a> The ultimate destination for those who find and follow the narrow way, representing eternal life with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_challenge_of_the_narrow_way.htm">The Challenge of the Narrow Way</a> The path to eternal life is not easy; it requires commitment, sacrifice, and perseverance. Believers must be prepared to face challenges and opposition. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a> In a world with many paths, discernment is crucial. Believers must seek wisdom and guidance from Scripture and the Holy Spirit to stay on the narrow path. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a> Although the path is narrow and few find it, believers are not alone. The Christian community provides support, accountability, and encouragement. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_evangelism.htm">The Call to Evangelism</a> Knowing that few find the narrow way, believers are called to share the Gospel, helping others to discover and choose the path to life. <a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_eternal_life.htm">The Assurance of Eternal Life</a> Despite its difficulty, the narrow way leads to life. Believers can have confidence in their eternal destination through faith in Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7</a> <a href="/q/how_to_enter_the_narrow_gate.htm">How can one enter through the narrow gate?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_abiram_in_the_bible.htm">What signifies the wide gate leading to destruction?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'pressed_but_not_crushed'_mean.htm">What does "Pressed but Not Crushed" mean biblically?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'the_way'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'The Way, the Truth, the Life'?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) Narrow is the way.--Literally, pressed, or hemmed in between walls or rocks, like the pathway in a mountain gorge.Which leadeth unto life.--Noteworthy as the first passage in our Lord's recorded teaching in which the word "life" appears as summing up all the blessedness of the kingdom. The idea is developed as we advance; the life becomes "eternal," and finally we are taught that the eternal life consists in the true and perfect knowledge of God and Christ (<a href="/context/john/17-2.htm" title="As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.">John 17:2-3</a>).Few there be that find it.--The sad contrast between the many and the few runs through all our Lord's teaching. He comes to "save the world," and yet those whom He chooses out of the world are but as a "little flock." They are to preach the gospel, and yet the result will be but discord and division. The picture is a dark one, and yet it represents but too faithfully the impression made, I do not say on Calvinist or even Christian, but on any ethical teacher, by the actual state of mankind around us. They are, for the most part, unconscious of the greatness of their lives, and of the interests at stake in them. If there is any wider hope, it is found in hints and suggestions of the possibilities of the future (<a href="/1_peter/3-19.htm" title="By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison;">1Peter 3:19</a>; <a href="/1_peter/4-6.htm" title="For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.">1Peter 4:6</a>); in the fact that the words used are emphatically present; in the belief that the short span of this life is not necessarily the whole of the discipline of a soul made for eternity; and that the new life, nascent, and feeble, and stunted here, may be quickened by some new process of education into higher energies.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - Because (ὅτι); for (Revised Version); "many ancient authorities read, How narrow is the gate, etc." (Revised Version margin). The reading, "how" (τί) is much easier, as avoiding the difficulty of the connexion of this verse with the preceding, but probably ὅτι is right. The connexion is either that it is parallel to the first ὅτι, and thus gives a second reason for decision in entering through the narrow gate; or, and better, that it gives the reason for the statement in ver. 13b - many pass along the wrong way because the right way requires at the very outset so much determination and afterwards so much self denial. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way; narrow is the gate, and straitened the way (Revised Version). Not only is the gate narrow, but the way itself seems compressed (τεθλιμμένη) by rocks, etc., on either side. That leadeth unto life (εἰς τὴν ζωήν). Observe, Christ does not say, "life eternal." He only cares to emphasize the thought of life in the fullest nature of life - life as "the fulfilment of the highest idea of being: perfect truth in perfect action" (Bishop Westcott, on <a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14</a>). And few there be that; Revised Version, and few be they that (ver. 13, note). Our Lord here affirms more than the disciples ask in <a href="/luke/13-23.htm">Luke 13:23</a>; for there the question deals with those in a state of salvation (οἱ σωζόμενοι), here those finally saved. Find it; i.e. the gate and all it leads to. The narrow gate is here looked at as involving life. Find. It needs a search (contrast ver. 13). But there is the promise of ver. 7, "Seek, and ye shall find." <a href="/commentaries/matthew/7-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. small [is] στενὴ (stenē) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4728.htm">Strong's 4728: </a> Narrow, strait. Probably from the base of histemi; narrow. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. gate πύλη (pylē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4439.htm">Strong's 4439: </a> A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. narrow τεθλιμμένη (tethlimmenē) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2346.htm">Strong's 2346: </a> (a) I make narrow (strictly: by pressure); I press upon, (b) I persecute, press hard. Akin to the base of tribos; to crowd. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. way ὁδὸς (hodos) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means. that ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. leads ἀπάγουσα (apagousa) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_520.htm">Strong's 520: </a> To lead, carry, take away; met: To be led astray, seduced. From apo and ago; to take off. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. life, ζωήν (zōēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. only a few ὀλίγοι (oligoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3641.htm">Strong's 3641: </a> Puny; especially neuter somewhat. find εὑρίσκοντες (heuriskontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. it. αὐτήν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/7-14.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 7:14 How narrow is the gate and restricted (Matt. 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