Matthew 7:14 (LSB)

Passage

For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Nearby Context

Matthew 7:12 “Therefore, in all things, whatever you want people to do for you, so do for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

Matthew 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 7:16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "gate", "narrow", "constricted", "leads", "life", and "find". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "gate" and "narrow", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "Enter through the narrow gate for the..." into verse 15's "Beware of the false prophets who come...", so "gate" 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 "gate" and "narrow" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.