Bible Strands
Matthew 7:14
But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a mixed crowd of disciples and listeners at the close of the Sermon on the Mount, immediately before the warning about false prophets.
The words — τεθλιμμὼν (tethlimmenē) is a present passive participle of θλίβω, literally "compressed" or "afflicted," suggesting a way marked by pressure and suffering rather than mere narrowness.
The thread — The many/few contrast recurs in Matthew 22:14 ("many are called, but few are chosen") and is echoed in the question at Luke 13:23.
Why it lands — It states a fact rather than issuing a command: the broad road is the default, and finding the narrow one is not the expected outcome. The reader is left to reckon with whether they are on the way that leads to life or the one that leads to destruction.
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
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Cross-references
- Luke 13:23 “Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered,
- Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
- Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
- 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 God.
- 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.
- Proverbs 8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
- Mark 8:34 Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
- Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- John 15:18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.
- Isaiah 30:21 And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”