Bible Strands
Luke 13:23
“Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A questioner addresses Jesus while He travels through towns and villages toward Jerusalem. The inquiry occurs during His teaching journey as He approaches the city.
The words — The Greek term ὀλίγοι (oligoi) translates literally as "few," while τις (tis) means "one" or "someone." These words frame the question regarding the limited number of those who will be saved.
The thread — This theme of a limited number of the saved appears in Matthew 7:14, which notes the narrow gate leads to life and few find it. It also parallels Matthew 22:14 regarding many called but few chosen, and Matthew 20:16 on the last being first.
Why it lands — The text demands a shift from calculating salvation statistics to personal preparation. It requires the reader to examine their own path toward the narrow door rather than speculating about others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Cross-references
- Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
- Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
- Matthew 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
- Luke 12:13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
- John 21:21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
- Matthew 24:3 While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
- Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
- Mark 13:4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?”
- Luke 21:7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
- Acts 1:7 Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.