Source sequence 30 of 85

The Narrow Gate

Scripture

Primary passage

Matthew 7:13–14

13 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.

Primary passage · World English Bible

Luke

Luke 13:23–30

23 One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?” He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside. 29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom. 30 Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”

Unreviewed grouped account · World English Bible

The command

Hear what Jesus commands.

Enter through the narrow gate and remain on Jesus' demanding path toward life.

In context

Hear the whole passage.

Jesus contrasts an easy, crowded way ending in destruction with a constricted way to life, warning that presumed familiarity does not replace response to Him.

What this reveals

What this reveals about God.

Jesus forms deliberate disciples who choose faithfulness over popularity, ease, and religious presumption.

Practice this command

Take one concrete step.

Identify one place where the easier, widely accepted choice conflicts with Jesus' way. Choose the faithful path and ask another believer to support you.

Discuss

Talk about it.

What makes Jesus' way feel narrow now, and what forms of presumed belonging might substitute for obedience?

Pray

Pray this.

Jesus, lead us through the gate that opens to life. Free us from following the crowd or trusting religious familiarity instead of you.

Teach

Teach it simply.

Teach the warning with humility: the narrow way is response to Jesus, not a tool for declaring ourselves superior to outsiders.

Continue in the original collection

Use with someone