Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 13:23-30

"And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without. And they shall come from the east and west, and from the north and south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last." — Luke 13:23-30 (ASV)

Our Saviour came to guide people's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Do not ask, "How many will be saved?" but rather, "Will I be one of them?" Do not ask, "What will become of such and such?" but rather, "What should I do, and what will become of me?"

Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is: "Strive!"

All who will be saved must enter in at the strait gate and must undergo a change of the whole person. Those who desire to enter must strive to do so.

Here are awakening considerations to reinforce this exhortation. Oh, may we all be awakened by them! These considerations address the question, "Are there few who will be saved?"

But let no one despond, either for themselves or for others, because there are last who shall be first, and first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we will meet many there whom we little expected to meet, and miss many whom we expected to find.