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 ."
31 Just at that time some Pharisees approached , saying to Him, "Go away , leave here , for Herod wants to kill You." 32 And He said to them, "Go and tell that fox , 'Behold , I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow , and the third day I reach My goal .' 33 "Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot e be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem . 34 " O Jerusalem , Jerusalem , the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together , just e as a hen gathers her brood under her wings , and you would not have it! 35 "Behold , your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say , ' BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE Lord !' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 13:23-35
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.
Commentary on Luke 13:31-35
(Read Luke 13:31-35)
Christ, in calling Herod a fox, gave him his true character. The greatest of men were accountable to God, therefore it became him to call this proud king by his own name; but it is not an example for us. I know, said our Lord, that I must die very shortly; when I die, I shall be perfected, I shall have completed my undertaking. It is good for us to look upon the time we have before us as but little, that we may thereby be quickened to do the work of the day in its day. The wickedness of persons and places which more than others profess religion and relation to God, especially displeases and grieves the Lord Jesus. The judgment of the great day will convince unbelievers; but let us learn thankfully to welcome, and to profit by all who come in the name of the Lord, to call us to partake of his great salvation.