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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 13:23-30

We have here, I. A question put to our Lord Jesus. Who it was that put it we are not told, whether a friend or a foe; for he both gave a great liberty of questioning him and returned answers to the thoughts and intents of the heart. The question was, Are there few that are saved? Luke 13:23: ei oligoi hoi sozomenoi??If the saved be few? Master, I have heard thou shouldest say so; is it true?? 1. Perhaps it was a captious question. He put it to him, tempting him, with a design to ensnare him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 13:22-30

13:22-30 Jesus continued to go through towns and villages, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem. "Lord," someone said to him, "are those who are to be saved few in number?" He said to them, "Keep on striving to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able to. Once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and when you begin to stand outside and knock, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' he will answer you, 'I do not know where you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 13:23

Then said one unto him ,.... Not one of his disciples, but one of the company, in some one of the cities or villages he passed through, or as he was in the road to Jerusalem: are there few that be saved ? It is a received opinion among the Jews F26 Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 11. sect. 1. , that all Israel shall have a part in the world to come; and this man might put the question to know whether Christ was of this sentiment or not. And by some things he had observed drop from him, and it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 13:24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate ,.... What is meant by the strait gate, and by entering in at it; see Gill on Matthew 7:13 . To "strive", is to be diligent in the use of means; to search the Scriptures with care; to attend on the preaching of the word with constancy, neglecting no opportunity; to pray earnestly for spiritual light, knowledge, and grace; to contend with every enemy that opposes the salvation of the soul, as sin, Satan, and the world; to bear all reproaches and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 13:23

Are there few that be saved? - A question either of impertinence or curiosity, the answer to which can profit no man. The grand question is, Can I be saved? Yes. How? Strive earnestly to enter in through the strait gate - αγωνιζεσθε , agonize - exert every power of body and soul - let your salvation be the grand business of your whole life. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 13:24

Many - will seek - They seek - wish and desire; but they do not strive; therefore, because they will not agonize - will not be in earnest, they shall not get in. See this subject more particularly explained on Matthew 7:13 , Matthew 7:14 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 13:23

Verse 23 Luke 13:23.And one saith to him Although Matthew relates this answer, as if it were immediately connected with other sentences taken out of our Lord’s sermons, yet I rather think that the occasion of its being spoken arose out of the present question. The reason why the question was put appears to have been, that Christ, who declared himself to be the author of life, could with difficulty collect a small number of disciples. It might appear, that a small band of men was to be saved,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 13:24

Verse 24 24.For many will seek to enter This was added, that we might not be deceived by a vain hope, as if the multitude of our companions would be of any avail to us. The flesh is willing to flatter itself, and many who now give themselves every indulgence, promise to themselves an easy entrance into life. Thus men practice mutual deception on each other, and fall asleep in wicked indifference. To shake off from his own people those flattering hopes, Christ declares that those who calculate... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 13:22-30

The question and the answer. "He went through the cities and villages." The circuits into which the ministry of Jesus was divided are most interesting. "He went about doing good." One feature is suggested by the evangelist's sentence. The village is not overlooked. If the desire had been merely to gain influence, he would have limited the teaching to the city. "Win the great centres of the populations; thus you will establish your reputation; thence the light will radiate to the obscurer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 13:22-35

Christ's farewell words to the theocracy. As Jesus was journeying steadily towards Jerusalem, the people saw that a crisis was at hand. Hence their anxiety to know how many would be saved in the new kingdom. They consequently inquire if the number of the saved shall be few. To this speculation the Lord returns a very significant answer; he tells them that many shall strive to enter in on false grounds, and that they should strive to enter in on true ones. I. THOSE WHO SPECULATE ... read more

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