Lexical Summary pulé: Gate, entrance Original Word: πυλή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a gate, porchApparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively) -- gate. HELPS Word-studies 4439 pýlē (a feminine noun) – a large door; an entrance-gate to a city or fortress; a door-gate. 4439 /pýlē ("a door-gate") typically refers to the exit people go out, i.e. focusing on what proceeds out of it. ["Gates" in antiquity generally represent authority/power.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a gate NASB Translation gate (8), gates (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4439: πύληπύλη, πύλης, ἡ (perhaps feminine of πόλος (cf. English pole i. e. axis) from the root πελῶ, to turn (Curtius, p. 715)), from Homer down; the Sept. very often for שַׁעַר, occasionally for דְּלֵת, sometimes for פֶּתַח; a gate (of the larger sort, in the wall either of a city or a palace; Thomas Magister (p. 292, 4) πύλαι ἐπί τείχους. θύραι ἐπί οἰκίας): of a town, Luke 7:12; Acts 9:24; Acts 16:13 L T Tr WH; Hebrews 13:12; of the temple, Acts 3:10; in the wall of a prison, Acts 12:10; πύλαι ᾅδου, the gates of Hades (likened to a vast prison; hence, the 'keys' of Hades, Revelation 1:18), Matthew 16:18 (on which see κατισχύω); Wis. 16:13; 3Macc. 5:51, and often by secular writings; see Grimm on 3Macc. 5:51. in figurative discourse equivalent to access or entrance into any state: Matthew 7:13{a},13{b} R G T brackets Tr WH marginal reading, 14 R G L brackets T brackets Tr WH; Luke 13:24 R L marginal reading (On its omission see προβατικός.) Topical Lexicon Thresholds in Biblical Life and Worship In both Jewish and Greco-Roman cities a city gate marked the transition between private life and the wider world. Commerce, justice, diplomacy, and public proclamation all clustered there. Consequently, the term is used in the New Testament for four main settings: (1) ordinary city entrances, (2) temple entrances, (3) protective or oppressive barriers, and (4) spiritual or eschatological thresholds. Ordinary City Gates: Places of Meeting and Mercy Luke 7:12 pictures Jesus at a town gate where mourners carry a widow’s son to burial, only to have Him restore the boy to life. In Acts 16:13 Paul seeks a prayer gathering “outside the city gate,” finding women receptive to the gospel. These scenes remind readers that public thresholds are fertile ground for evangelism and compassion—places where grief, prayer, and proclamation intersect. Temple Gate: The Beautiful Gate and Restorative Power Acts 3:10 recalls the “Beautiful Gate” of the Jerusalem temple. A lame beggar, long identified with that entrance, becomes a living sign of messianic healing when Peter invokes the name of Jesus. The contrast between architectural beauty and human brokenness highlights the gospel’s capacity to transform the most familiar religious settings into arenas of resurrection power. Protective or Oppressive Gates: Political Intrigue and Divine Deliverance Acts 9:24 records a murderous plot at Damascus: conspirators guard the gates to ambush Saul. Later, Acts 12:10 depicts an “iron gate” that swings open for Peter after angelic rescue. Earthly barriers—whether maintained by conspirators or soldiers—prove unable to resist God’s purposes. The narrative invites confidence that divine mission cannot be permanently blocked by civic or imperial power. The Narrow Gate and the Way of Life Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:13-14 sets two gates before every hearer: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Here the gate becomes a moral and spiritual decision-point. Salvation is by grace, yet it is no casual stroll; it demands repentance, faith, and perseverance. The imagery warns against cultural crowds and summons individuals to deliberate commitment. The Gates of Hades: Cosmic Conflict and Church Triumph Matthew 16:18 assures, “the gates of Hades will not prevail” against Christ’s church. Gates symbolize defensive strength; yet even death’s bastion cannot withstand the advance of the gospel. The promise rests on the Messiah’s resurrection authority and grants the church confidence in mission and martyrdom alike. Outside the Gate: Christ’s Suffering and Our Mission Hebrews 13:12 states, “Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.” The sacrificial parallel to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) points to rejection and shame borne by the Savior. The following verse urges believers to follow Him “outside the camp,” embracing reproach for the sake of the world. The locus of redemption moves from revered temple precincts to a place of disgrace, redefining holiness around the cross. Ministry Reflections 1. Evangelism: Gates represent public squares where diverse people converge. Modern equivalents—social media forums, campuses, marketplaces—are strategic for witness. Summary Strong’s Greek 4439 functions in Scripture as more than architectural vocabulary. It becomes a metaphor for decision, protection, vulnerability, exclusion, and ultimate victory. Whether literal stone portals or symbolic entrances, every gate in the New Testament directs attention to the Lord who opens, closes, and Himself becomes the doorway to everlasting life. Forms and Transliterations πυλαι πύλαι πύλαις πυλας πύλας πύλει πυλη πύλη πύλῃ πυλην πύλην πυλης πύλης πυλών pulai pulas pule pulē pulen pulēn pules pulēs pylai pýlai pylas pýlas pyle pylē pýle pýlē pýlei pýlēi pylen pylēn pýlen pýlēn pyles pylēs pýles pýlēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 7:13 N-GFSGRK: τῆς στενῆς πύλης ὅτι πλατεῖα NAS: the narrow gate; for the gate is wide KJV: at the strait gate: for wide INT: the narrow gate for wide Matthew 7:13 Noun-NFS Matthew 7:14 N-NFS Matthew 16:18 N-NFP Luke 7:12 N-DFS Acts 3:10 N-DFS Acts 9:24 N-AFP Acts 12:10 N-AFS Acts 16:13 N-GFS Hebrews 13:12 N-GFS Strong's Greek 4439 |
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