What Does Luke 13:23 Mean in the King James?
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse opens with a headcount question, then leaves the number unanswered as Jesus’ reply begins to turn toward a way through.
THE MEANING
The question asks how many are being delivered. The verse leaves that count open, and its unfinished sentence leads straight into an answer about a narrow gate. The focus shifts from tallying other people to the reader’s own relation to that passage.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that deliverance can be understood by counting how many qualify gives way to an image of entering through a narrow gate.
THE ROOT
σωζόμενοι
sōzomenoi
GROWS FROM
σωζ-
To rescue, preserve, or bring safely out of danger.
“saved” in this verse is sōzomenoi. The Greek uses a present participle, describing “those being delivered” as rescue in progress. The same word family names deliverance itself and the deliverer, so the question about a number opens onto the process and source of being brought out.
ALSO GROWS
sōtēria: Rescue or deliverance.
σωτηρία
The related noun names the rescue the question counts, connecting those being delivered with deliverance itself.
sōtēr: A rescuer or deliverer.
σωτήρ
This related word names the one who brings rescue, completing the word family around those being delivered.
THE PATTERN
Scripture presents deliverance as entering through a way into life, not as a count of who qualifies.
This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.THE THREAD
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.This is the answer the final words of 13:23 announce. The question asks how many are being delivered; the response turns toward a narrow gate and the difference between seeking to enter and entering.
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