23 And someone said to Him, "Lord , are there just a few who are being saved ?" And He said to them, 24 " Strive to enter through the narrow door ; for many , I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able . 25 "Once e the head of the house gets up and shuts the door , and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door , saying , ' Lord , open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, ' I do not know where you are from.' 26 "Then you will begin to say , 'We ate and drank in Your presence , and You taught in our streets '; 27 and He will say , 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS .' 28 " In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God , but yourselves being thrown out. 29 "And they will come from east and west and from north and south , and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God . 30 "And behold , some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 13:23-30
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.