Luke 13:24

Syriac Peshitta (NT Only)

ܝܶܫܽܘܥ ܕ݁ܶܝܢ ܐܶܡܰܪ ܠܗܽܘܢ ܐܶܬ݂ܟ݁ܰܬ݈݁ܫܘ ܠܡܶܥܰܠ ܒ݁ܬ݂ܰܪܥܳܐ ܐܰܠܺܝܨܳܐ ܐܳܡܰܪ ܐ݈ܢܳܐ ܠܟ݂ܽܘܢ ܓ݁ܶܝܪ ܕ݁ܣܰܓ݁ܺܝܶܐܐ ܢܶܒ݂ܥܽܘܢ ܠܡܶܥܰܠ ܘܠܳܐ ܢܶܫܟ݁ܚܽܘܢ ܀

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Strive: Luke 21:36, Genesis 32:25, Genesis 32:26, Matthew 11:12, John 6:27, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 2:12, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 1:29, Hebrews 4:11, 2 Peter 1:10

the strait: Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14

for: Proverbs 1:24-28, Proverbs 14:6, Proverbs 21:25, Ecclesiastes 10:15, Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 58:2-4, Ezekiel 33:31, Mark 6:18-20, John 7:34, John 8:21, John 13:33, Romans 9:31-33, Romans 10:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:15 - hastened Genesis 27:34 - he cried Genesis 32:24 - wrestled Exodus 19:24 - but let Joshua 7:3 - about two Psalms 27:4 - seek Psalms 63:8 - followeth Proverbs 9:6 - in Proverbs 14:12 - General Song of Solomon 3:1 - but Jeremiah 11:11 - cry Ezekiel 5:3 - a few Ezekiel 42:4 - a way Hosea 10:12 - time Zephaniah 2:2 - before the fierce Matthew 5:25 - whiles Matthew 18:3 - enter Matthew 19:25 - Who Matthew 22:14 - General Mark 8:34 - Whosoever Luke 11:9 - I say Luke 12:58 - the judge Luke 17:34 - I tell John 3:5 - cannot John 5:4 - first John 21:21 - Lord Acts 24:25 - when Romans 11:7 - Israel 1 Corinthians 9:26 - so Ephesians 6:12 - wrestle Colossians 1:13 - and 2 Timothy 2:5 - strive Hebrews 12:17 - he was 1 Peter 3:20 - wherein

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Strive to enter in at the strait gate,.... What is meant by the strait gate, and by entering in at it,

:-. 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 persecutions, and press through all difficulties, for the prize of the incorruptible crown: the metaphor seems to be taken from the striving, wrestling, and combat in the Olympic games, for a corruptible crown:

for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able: either when it is too late, when the door is shut; or else before, very faintly, in a superficial manner, from a mere natural affection, from a principle of self-love, which leads every one to desire happiness; and by very indirect and improper methods, by their own civility, morality, and righteousness; by works of the law, moral, or ceremonial; or by a profession of religion, and an outward compliance with the ordinances of the Gospel, and not by Christ, and faith in him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Strive - Literally, “agonize.” The word is taken from the Grecian games. In their races, and wrestlings, and various athletic exercises, they “strove or agonized,” or put forth all their powers to gain the victory. Thousands witnessed them. They were long trained for the conflict, and the honor of victory was one of the highest honors among the people. So Jesus says that we should strive to enter in; and he means by it that we should be diligent, be active, be earnest; that we should make it our first and chief business to overcome our sinful propensities, and to endeavor to enter into heaven. This same figure or allusion to the Grecian games is often used in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 9:24-26; Philippians 2:16; Hebrews 12:1.

Strait gate - See the notes at Matthew 7:13-14. Dr. Thomson (“The Land and the Book,” vol. i. p. 32) says: “I have seen these strait gates and narrow ways, ‘with here and there a traveler.’ They are in retired corners, and must be sought for, and are opened only to those who knock; and when the sun goes down and the night comes on, they are shut and locked. It is then too late.”

Will seek to enter in - Many in various ways manifest some desire to be saved. They seek it, but do not agonize for it, and hence, they are shut out. But a more probable meaning of this passage is that which refers this “seeking” to a time that shall be “too late;” to the time when the master has risen up, etc. In this life they neglect religion, and are engaged about other things. At death, or at the judgment, they will seek to enter in; but it will be too late - the door will be shut; and because they did not make religion the chief business of their life, they cannot “then” enter in.

Shall not be able - This is not designed to affirm anything respecting the inability of the sinner, provided he seeks salvation in a proper time and manner. It means that at the time when many will seek - when the door is shut - they will not be able then to enter in, agreeable to Matthew 7:22. In the proper time, when the day of grace was lengthened out, they “might” have entered in; but there “will be” a time when it will be too late. The day of mercy will be ended, and death will come, and the doors of heaven barred against them. How important, then, to strive to enter in while we have opportunity, and before it shall be too late!

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 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 7:13-14.