Matthew 7:13 (ASV)

Passage

Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.

Nearby Context

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 7:12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.

Matthew 7:14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep`s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "enter", "narrow", "gate", "wide", "broad", "leadeth", and "destruction". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "enter" and "narrow", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that..." into verse 14's "For narrow is the gate and straitened...", so "enter" and "narrow" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "enter" and "narrow" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.