What Does Luke 13:24 Mean in the King James?
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
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
Seeking the doorway and actually entering through it are not the same thing.
THE MEANING
Life’s entrance is a real threshold: the way is narrow, and the verse names active striving as the posture of passage. Seeking the entrance and entering it are not the same; many seek and remain unable.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that wanting to enter is itself enough to ensure entry is undone here: many seek, but remain unable to enter.
THE ROOT
ἀγωνίζεσθε
agōnizesthe
GROWS FROM
ἀγών
agōn
A contest or struggle; the verb means to exert oneself in a contest.
The verb belongs to the language of contest and struggle, giving “strive” the weight of focused exertion rather than a passing wish. The verse sets that effort against a hard boundary: many seek entry but do not achieve it.
ALSO GROWS
agōn: Contest, struggle
ἀγών
The noun names the contest held within the verb: entering is presented as a serious effort.
agōnia: Struggle, anguish
ἀγωνία
This related word carries the same family’s sense of intense exertion, adding weight to the call to strive.
στενῆς
stenēs
GROWS FROM
στενός
stenos
Narrow, tight, confined.
“Strait” describes a constricted passage, not simply a gate that is small. The word family also uses narrowness for being pressed or confined, making the image one of real constraint.
ALSO GROWS
stenochōria: Distress, oppression; literally, narrowness of space
στενοχωρία
The same narrow-space image can describe distress, giving the gate’s constriction a felt dimension.
stenochōreō: To be confined or pressed for room
στενοχωρέω
This related verb makes the idea of narrowness concrete: there is little room to move.
δυνήσονται
dynēsontai
GROWS FROM
δύναμαι
dynamai
To be able, to have power or capacity.
“Able” in this verse is dynēsontai. The final phrase distinguishes seeking from having the capacity to enter. The Greek root speaks of actual ability or power, so desire and entry remain separate in the sentence.
ALSO GROWS
dynamis: Power, capacity
δύναμις
This noun makes clear that ability concerns actual capacity, not merely desire.
dynatos: Able, capable, powerful
δυνατός
This adjective shares the root’s focus on what someone is capable of doing.
THE PATTERN
The way into life is a real passage: seeking its entrance and actually entering it are distinct.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.THE THREAD
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.Luke’s “strive” and Paul’s “striveth for the mastery” come from the same Greek contest word family. Paul’s athletic image makes the exertion in Luke’s call to enter easier to hear.
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