BibleTools
Matthew 7:13
Compare all
11 If you then, abeing evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!  
12 Therefore, awhatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for bthis is the Law and the Prophets.  

The Narrow Way

13 a“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  
14 Because narrow is the gate and2 difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.  

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

15 a“Beware of false prophets, bwho come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  
16 aYou will know them by their fruits. bDo men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  
17 Even so, aevery good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 aEvery tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, a‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who bdoes the will of My Father in heaven.  
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we anot prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  
23 And athen I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; bdepart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’  

Build on the Rock

24 “Therefore awhoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  
25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Matthew 7:12   Matthew 7:14 >>


Matthew 7:13-14

Enter ye in at the strait gate - Christ here compares the way to life to an entrance through a gate. The words "straight" and "strait" have very different meanings. The former means "not crooked;" the latter, "pent up, narrow, difficult to be entered." This is the word used here, and it means that the way to heaven is "pent up, narrow, close," and not obviously entered. The way to death is open, broad, and thronged. The Saviour here referred probably to ancient cities. They were surrounded with walls and entered through gates. Some of those, connected with the great avenues to the city, were broad and admitted a throng; others, for more private purposes, were narrow, and few would be seen entering them. So, says Christ, is the path to heaven. It is narrow. It is not "the great highway" that people tread. Few go there. Here and there one may be seen - traveling in solitude and singularity. The way to death, on the other hand, is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which people go. They fall into it easily and without effort, and go without thought. If they wish to leave that and go by a narrow gate to the city, it would require effort and thought. So, says Christ, "diligence" is needed to enter life. See Luke 13:24. None go of course. All must strive, to obtain it; and so narrow, unfrequented, and solitary is it, that few find it. This sentiment has been beautifully versified by Watts:

"Broad is the road that leads to death,

And thousands walk together there;

But wisdom shows a narrower path,

With here and there a traveler."




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Matthew 7:13:

Micah 2:13
Matthew 7:28-29
Matthew 16:13-20
Luke 13:24
Acts 19:9
Romans 9:22-23
2 Peter 2:1

 

<< Matthew 7:12   Matthew 7:14 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,346+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Close
E-mail This Page