John Calvin Commentary Luke 13:23

"And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them," — Luke 13:23 (ASV)

And one says to him Although Matthew relates this answer, as if it were immediately connected with other sentences taken out of our Lord’s sermons, yet I rather think that the occasion of its being spoken arose out of the present question. The reason why the question was put appears to have been, that Christ, who declared himself to be the author of life, could with difficulty collect a small number of disciples. It might appear, that a small band of people was to be saved, and that the whole church was going to ruin: for the whole of that nation, among whom the doctrine of Christ made no great progress, and by whom it was universally rejected, had been adopted by God as the heir of life.

A similar doubt steals upon us, when we look at the melancholy condition of the world. “The greater part of people pursue a life which is utterly at variance with the Gospel. What is the meaning of this?”

For this reason Christ, directing his discourse to all, exhorted them to strive to enter by the narrow gate. These words were intended to withdraw his people from a foolish curiosity, by which many are hindered and involved, when they look around to see if any companions are joining them, as if they were unwilling to be saved but in a crowd.

When he tells them to strive, or labor, he conveys the information that it is impossible to obtain eternal life without great and appalling difficulties. Let believers, therefore, give their earnest attention to this goal, instead of indulging in excessive curiosity about the vast number of those who are going astray.