Knowing The Word in Luke 13:22-30

The Narrow Door

13:22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Comments

Jesus makes it clear there will be many surprises in the kingdom’s membership. Hebrew writings of the day indicate that the rabbis believed all Israel would be saved except for some blatant sinners who excluded themselves by their sinful actions. Jesus does not answer the question of who will be saved directly, but emphasizes one must “strive,” which is a technical term for competing in games, “to enter through the narrow door,” which is the door of salvation. To strive denotes whole-hearted action. It does not mean that human achievement merits entrance but points to one’s repentant attitude. Jesus taught in the open where all could hear, contrasting with some rabbis who would not teach on the street but only behind closed doors. Jesus’ teaching was available to all.

The many who are unable to enter are those who do not try to enter until it is too late. Their sorrow is not in their sins but in their late arrival. These Jews who claim to be descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will experience complete rejection. “People from east and west, north and south” indicates the kingdom membership will include Gentiles, while these Jews opposing Jesus will be left out. Those who were thought to be outside will be inside, and those who thought they were inside will be outside. Jesus further explains this idea in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Application

If Jesus is the narrow door, then what about other religions? Is there more than one way to God? Jesus gives a rather definitive answer here, adding in John’s Gospel, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6b). If we care about the salvation of others, we should very much want to lead them to Jesus, the narrow door.

Prayer

Take time to pray by name for those who do not know the Lord.