Matthew 7:14

Commentary on Matthew 7:14

The Text (King James Version)

Matthew 7:14

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Exegetical Commentary

1. Immediate Context: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7)

Matthew 7[i] forms the final movement of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is pressing His hearers to respond to His teaching with wholehearted obedience. The chapter contains warnings against hypocrisy, false prophets, self-deception, and superficial religion. It culminates in the call to build one’s life on the rock of His words.

Matthew 7:13–14 presents two paths, two gates, two crowds, and two destinies. The contrast is stark and uncompromising. Jesus is not offering lifestyle advice; He is issuing an ultimatum.

Matthew 7:13

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.”

The “strait gate” of verse 13 is the same “strait gate” of verse 14. Jesus is urging His hearers to choose deliberately and decisively.

2. “Strait is the gate” — The nature of entry into life

The word “strait” means tight, restricted, or constricted. It does not mean “straight” as in “not crooked.” Jesus is describing a gate that is difficult to pass through. It demands humility, repentance, and surrender.

This aligns with Jesus’ later teaching:

John 10:9

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…”

John 14:6

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The gate is strait because it is Christ Himself. There is no alternative entry point. No self-made path. No negotiation.

3. “Narrow is the way” — The nature of discipleship

The “way” is not merely the moment of conversion; it is the ongoing life of following Jesus. It is narrow because it is defined by the will of God rather than the desires of the world.

This fits the broader teaching of Matthew 7:

• Matthew 7:21

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

• Matthew 7:24

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man…”

The narrow way is the life of obedience, trust, and perseverance. It is not widened by cultural trends or personal preferences. It is shaped by the character and commands of Christ.

4. “Which leadeth unto life” — The promised destination

The narrow way leads to “life,” meaning eternal life in fellowship with God. This is not merely future blessing; it is present participation in the life of the kingdom.

John 17:3

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

The narrow way is hard, but its end is glorious.

5. “Few there be that find it” — The sobering reality

Jesus’ words are confronting. He does not flatter His audience. He does not soften the truth. He says “few” find the way that leads to life.

This is consistent with His later teaching:

Matthew 22:14

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The difficulty is not that the gate is hidden, but that the human heart resists it. Pride prefers the broad way. Self-reliance prefers the wide gate. The narrow way requires grace-enabled surrender.

Theological Teaching

1. Salvation is through Christ alone

The strait gate is Christ Himself. The narrow way is the life shaped by His lordship. This is the heart of Christian theology: salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

2. True faith produces obedience

The narrow way is not legalism. It is the fruit of genuine faith. Those who enter through Christ walk in His way.

3. The Christian life is countercultural

The broad way is popular. The narrow way is not. Modern Christians must expect to be out of step with prevailing cultural norms.

4. Perseverance is essential

The narrow way is a path to be walked, not merely a gate to be entered. The Christian life is a long obedience in the same direction.

Meditation Guide

1. Reflect on the gate

Ask yourself:

• Am I trusting Christ alone for salvation?
• Have I truly entered through the strait gate, or am I standing near it, admiring it, but not passing through?

Meditate on Jesus’ words: John 10:9

“I am the door…”

2. Consider the way

Reflect on your daily walk:

• Is my life shaped by Jesus’ teaching?
• Do I resist the narrowness of His commands?
• Where am I tempted to widen the way to suit my preferences?

Meditate on: Matthew 7:24

“…whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them…”

3. Remember the destination

Let the promise of life strengthen your resolve:

• Eternal life is not earned by walking the narrow way; it is received by grace.
• Yet the narrow way is the path of those who truly belong to Christ.

Meditate on: John 17:3

“And this is life eternal…”

4. Respond with humility

Jesus says “few” find the way. This should not produce fear, but sober self-examination and renewed dependence on grace.

Pray: “Lord, keep me on the narrow way. Strengthen my faith. Shape my desires. Lead me to life.”

---

[i] Matthew 7

King James Version

7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.