Matthew 7:14 BSB — MannaFest

Matthew 7:14

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

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.

KJV

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

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Commentary

7 voices

Jerome

Catena Aurea by Aquinas (420)

Attend to the words, for they have an especial force, many walk in the broad way—few find the narrow way. For the broad way needs no search, and is not found, but presents itself readily; it is the way of all who go astray. Whereas the narrow way neither do all find, nor when they have found, do they straightway walk therein. Many, after they have found the way of truth, caught by the pleasures of the world, desert midway.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

John Gill

1697–1771

Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,.... And so, difficult to enter in at; and when entered, the way is unpleasant to the flesh to walk in, being hedged up on each side with afflictions and tribulations; and moreover, is like the "narrow place", or στενος τοπος, "the strait place", as the Septuagint in Num 22:26 render it; in which the angel that met Balaam stood; and in which there was no turning to the right hand or the left; and such is the way to eternal happiness.

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

The strait gate - The holiness described in the foregoing chapters. And this is the narrow way. Wide is the gate, and many there are that go in through it - They need not seek for this; they come to it of course.

Anchor repaired 2026-08-10: was 7:12; content is Wesley on the strait gate, source marker 13, note spans vv. 13-14 (no separate note 14).

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Christ deals faithfully with us, and tells us, First, That the gate is strait. Conversion and regeneration are the gate, by which we enter into this way, in which we begin a life of faith and serious godliness; out of a state of sin into a state of grace we must pass, by the new birth, John iii.

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

Because strait is the gate - Instead of οτι because, I should prefer τι how, which reading is supported by a great majority of the best MSS., versions, and fathers. How strait is that gate! This mode of expression more forcibly points out the difficulty of the way to the kingdom. How strange is it that men should be unwilling to give up their worldly interests to secure their everlasting salvation! And yet no interest need be abandoned, but that which is produced by injustice and unkindness.

J.C. Ryle

1816–1900

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew (1856)

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

19 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
τί	ti	Which	G5101 →
στενὴ	stenē	small [is]	G4728 →
ἡ	hē	the	G3588 →
πύλη	pulē	gate	G4439 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
τεθλιμμένη	tethlimmenē	compressed	G2346 →
ἡ	hē	the	G3588 →
ὁδὸς	hodos	way	G3598 →
ἡ	hē	which	G3588 →
ἀπάγουσα	apagousa	is leading	G520 →
εἰς	eis	to	G1519 →
τὴν	tēn	<the>	G3588 →
ζωήν,	zōēn	life,	G2222 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
ὀλίγοι	oligoi	few	G3641 →
εἰσὶν	eisin	are	G1510 →
οἱ	hoi	those	G3588 →
εὑρίσκοντες	heuriskontes	finding	G2147 →
αὐτήν.¶	autēn	it.	G846 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of…
leads to
- 1 Peter 1:14
  As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.
- Ephesians 4:22–24
  to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
- Colossians 3:10
  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
- 1 John 2:15–17
  Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Through
Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.”
leads to
- 2 Peter 1:10
  Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
- Luke 13:23–24
  “Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered,
Through
Isaiah 35:8
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.
leads to
- Matthew 7:13–14
  Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

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About Matthew

John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

Matthew: the study guide →Read chapter 7 →The featured study →

Continue: Matthew 7 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About Matthew

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About Matthew