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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 13:24

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 13:22-24

Luke 13:22-24. And he went through the cities and villages, &c. Being on his way to Jordan from the northeast parts of Peræa; teaching Wheresoever he came; journeying toward Jerusalem To which he had now begun to steer his course, intending to be there at the approaching feast of dedication, (John 10:22,) and to spend the little remainder of his time, during his continuance upon earth, in that city, or in the neighbouring parts, no more returning to these northern regions, till he... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 13:22-35

99. The first shall be last (Luke 13:22-35)As Jesus moved through the towns of the Jordan Valley, he stressed that people should believe in him without delay, because they would not have the opportunity to hear from him again. Many were concerned with theoretical questions about who would or would not be saved. Jesus explained that people individually should first be sure of their own salvation, because on the judgment day many who thought they were in God’s kingdom would find themselves left... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 13:24

Strive = Struggle, literally agonize. Occurs elsewhere only in John 18:36 . 1 Corinthians 9:25 .Colossians 1:29 ; Colossians 4:12 . 1 Timothy 6:12 . 2 Timothy 4:7 . at = through. Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 13:1 . strait = narrow. gate . All the texts read "door", as in Luke 13:25 . In Matthew 7:13 it is "gate". read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 13:23-24

Luke 13:23-24. Lord, are there few that be saved? &c.— Our Lord was now travelling by slow journies towards Jerusalem, beingon his way to Jordan, from the north-east parts of Judea. Somewhere on the road, probably soon after he had described the success of the gospel by the parables of the mustard-seed and the leaven, his opinion was asked concerning the number of those who should be saved. The person who proposed the question, seems to have heard the parables above mentioned; if he had,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 13:24

24. Strive—The word signifies to "contend" as for the mastery, to "struggle," expressive of the difficulty of being saved, as if one would have to force his way in. strait gate—another figure of the same. (See on :-). for many . . . will seek—"desire," that is, with a mere wish or slothful endeavor. and shall not be able—because it must be made a life-and-death struggle. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 13:18-35

E. Instruction about the kingdom 13:18-14:35The larger division of the Gospel that records Jesus’ ministry on the way to Jerusalem and the Cross continues with more teaching about the coming kingdom. The parables of the kingdom that begin this section (Luke 13:18-21) introduce this section. The difference in Jesus’ teaching in the present section is a matter of emphasis rather than a clear-cut change. The subtlety of this distinction is observable in that the commentators differ over where they... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 13:22-30

2. Entrance into the kingdom 13:22-30Another question led to this teaching. The thematic connection with Jesus’ words implying the small beginning of the kingdom (Luke 13:19; Luke 13:21) should be obvious. As elsewhere, Luke recorded Jesus teaching lessons and using illustrations and expressions that the other Gospel writers wrote that He used in other contexts. Jesus’ repetition is understandable in view of His itinerant ministry and His great skill as a teacher. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 13:24

Jesus did not answer the question directly. Instead of giving an impersonal answer He explained how a person could enter the kingdom. A narrow door pictured an unpopular and difficult entryway (cf. Matthew 7:13). Jesus meant the door was the way He taught in contrast to the more popular way that the religious leaders taught. Striving consisted of believing Jesus in spite of the intrinsic difficulty of believing and the opposition of others (cf. John 10:9). Many people would seek to enter the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 13:1-35

The Galileans killed by Pilate. The Unfruitful Fig Tree. Lament Over Jerusalem1-9. Three exhortations to repentance, of which the former two are based on recent events, and the third is a parable. All are peculiar to Lk.1. Whose blood Pilate] These men had evidently been killed in the courts of the Temple for some real or suspected sedition while they were slaying their victims, an act which was performed not by the priests, but by the offerers, or their servants. Nothing is known of this... read more

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