24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
24 "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life - to God! - is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives.
24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
24 "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 13:24
Commentary on Luke 13:23-30
(Read Luke 13:23-30)
Our Saviour came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask not, How many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? Not, What shall become of such and such? But, What shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is, Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the strait gate, must undergo a change of the whole man. Those that would enter in, must strive to enter. Here are awakening considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that we may be all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there few that shall be saved? But let none despond either as to themselves or others, for there are last who shall be first, and first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we shall meet many there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many whom we expected to find.