The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5 - 7
Chapter 7
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter
through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
What does this mean?
Explanation of Matthew 7:13-14
This passage is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He contrasts two paths: one leading to destruction and
the other leading to life. Here’s a detailed biblical explanation of each part:
"Enter through the narrow gate."
- Explanation: Jesus begins with an instruction to choose the narrow gate. This gate represents the path to
salvation and a life in accordance with God's will. The narrowness signifies the difficulty and discipline
required to follow this path. It implies that true discipleship involves commitment, sacrifice, and adherence to
God's teachings.
"For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
- Explanation: Jesus contrasts the narrow gate with the wide gate and broad road, which lead to destruction. The
wide gate and broad road symbolize the easy, undisciplined, and often morally lax way of life that many people
choose. This path is attractive because it requires little effort and accommodates various lifestyles and
choices that are contrary to God's will. However, it ultimately leads to spiritual ruin and separation from God.
"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
- Explanation: The small gate and narrow road represent the path to eternal life, characterized by following Jesus
and adhering to His teachings. This path is less traveled because it demands self-denial, moral integrity, and a
commitment to living according to God's principles. The fact that only a few find it highlights the difficulty
and the need for deliberate effort to stay on this path. It underscores the idea that true discipleship is rare
and requires a conscious, ongoing decision to follow Jesus.
Summary:
In this passage, Jesus uses the imagery of gates and roads to illustrate the choices people make regarding their
spiritual lives. The wide gate and broad road represent the easy, popular path that leads to spiritual destruction,
chosen by many because it requires little commitment to God's ways. In contrast, the narrow gate and road symbolize
the challenging and disciplined path that leads to eternal life, found by few because it demands true commitment to
Jesus' teachings and a life of obedience to God. This teaching emphasizes the importance of making conscious,
deliberate choices to follow God's will, despite the difficulties and challenges involved.
