Lexical Summary stenos: Narrow, strait Original Word: στενός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance narrow, strait. Probably from the base of histemi; narrow (from obstacles standing close about) -- strait. see GREEK histemi HELPS Word-studies 4728 stenós – properly, narrow; (figuratively) the closely-defined path God ordains to travel on to gain His approval (used three times in the NT). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition narrow NASB Translation narrow (2), small (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4728: στενόςστενός, στενή, στενόν, from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, the Sept. for צַר, narrow, strait: πύλη, Matthew 7:13 (14 (here L Tr brackets πύλη)); Luke 13:24. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences and Immediate Context Matthew 7:13–14 and Luke 13:24 place the adjective in Jesus’ teaching on the “gate” or “door” that grants access to life in the kingdom of God. In each setting the word emphasizes a passageway that is not spacious, comfortable, or easily entered. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7) contrasts a wide gate leading to destruction with a narrow one leading to life, while the Lukan parallel frames entrance as a struggle that many attempt but few achieve. The Narrow Way and Salvation 1. Exclusivity in Christ. The imagery underscores that salvation is found in one place only—through faith in Jesus Christ. By describing the way as narrow, Jesus dismisses the notion of multiple equal paths to God (cf. John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Old Testament and Intertestamental Parallels Hebrew poetry often uses the language of tightness or confinement to describe distress (Psalm 118:5) and righteousness as a level path (Proverbs 4:11). Second-Temple writings such as 4 Ezra 7 compare the present age to a narrow passage before a broad paradise, a conceptual backdrop that heightens the force of Jesus’ analogy. The early Christian manual Didache opens with “Two Ways,” likely shaped by Jesus’ teaching on the narrow and wide paths. Theological Implications • Human responsibility: The call to “enter” charges hearers with decisive action; grace does not nullify effort (Philippians 2:12–13). Historical Interpretations Early church fathers (e.g., Chrysostom) read the passages as a summons to holiness amid pagan culture. Medieval commentators associated the narrow way with asceticism, while Reformers stressed its linkage to justification by faith in Christ alone—narrow because it excludes works-righteousness yet produces a life of obedience. Evangelical preachers from John Bunyan to Billy Graham have appealed to the same imagery to call listeners to decisive conversion. Practical Ministry Applications • Evangelism: Present Christ as the sole gate to life without compromise, yet invite all to enter. Illustrative Quotations “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13) “But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14) “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.” (Luke 13:24) The adjective translated “narrow” thus operates as a vivid theological signpost: it directs every generation to the singular, demanding, yet life-giving way of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations στενά στενη στενή στενὴ στενήν στενης στενής στενῆς στενοίς στενόν στενός στενώ stene stenē stenḕ stenes stenês stenēs stenē̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 7:13 Adj-GFSGRK: διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης ὅτι NAS: through the narrow gate; for the gate KJV: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for INT: through the narrow gate for Matthew 7:14 Adj-NFS Luke 13:24 Adj-GFS Strong's Greek 4728 |
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