24 Strive with earnestness to enter in through the narrow door, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, use diligence to make your calling and election sure, for doing these things ye will never fall;
The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
Let us therefore use diligence to enter into that rest, that no one may fall after the same example of not hearkening to the word.
Whereunto also I toil, combating according to his working, which works in me in power.
So that, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much rather in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both the willing and the working according to [his] good pleasure.
Know ye not that they who run in [the] race-course run all, but one receives the prize? Thus run in order that ye may obtain. But every one that contends [for a prize] is temperate in all things: *they* then indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown, but *we* an incorruptible. *I* therefore thus run, as not uncertainly; so I combat, as not beating the air. But I buffet my body, and lead it captive, lest [after] having preached to others I should be myself rejected.
For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own [righteousness], have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
But Israel, pursuing after a law of righteousness, has not attained to [that] law. Wherefore? Because [it was] not on the principle of faith, but as of works. They have stumbled at the stumblingstone, according as it is written, Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and rock of offence: and he that believes on him shall not be ashamed.
Children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me; and, as I said to the Jews, Where I go ye cannot come, I say to you also now.
He said therefore again to them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin; where I go ye cannot come.
And when he saw that he did not prevail against him, he touched the joint of his thigh; and the joint of Jacob's thigh was dislocated as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the dawn ariseth. And he said, I will not let thee go except thou bless me.
Watch therefore, praying at every season, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have the wife of thy brother. But Herodias kept it [in her mind] against him, and wished to kill him, and could not: for Herod feared John knowing that he was a just and holy man, and kept him safe; and having heard him, did many things, and heard him gladly.
But from the days of John the baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and [the] violent seize on it.
Enter in through the narrow gate, for wide the gate and broad the way that leads to destruction, and many are they who enter in through it. For narrow the gate and straitened the way that leads to life, and they are few who find it.
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that doeth righteousness, and hath not forsaken the ordinance of their God; they ask of me the ordinances of righteousness, they take delight in approaching to God: -- Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest not; have afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find what pleaseth [you], and exact all your labours. Behold, ye have fasted for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye do not at present fast, to cause your voice to be heard on high.
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none [for him]; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one regarded; and ye have rejected all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh in your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as sudden destruction, and your calamity cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you: -- then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, and shall not find me.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Luke 13
Commentary on Luke 13 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 13
In this chapter we have,
Luk 13:1-5
We have here,
Luk 13:6-9
This parable is intended to enforce that word of warning immediately going before, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish; except you be reformed, you will be ruined, as the barren tree, except it bring forth fruit, will be cut down.'
But he adds, If not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Observe here,
Luk 13:10-17
Here is,
Luk 13:18-22
Here is,
Luk 13:23-30
We have here,
Luk 13:31-35
Here is,
Note,