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Matthew 7:13

King James Version (KJV)

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Translations

Matthew 7:13 - Amplified Bible

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious {and} broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

Matthew 7:13 - American Standard Version

Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.

Matthew 7:13 - Bible in Basic English

Go in by the narrow door; for wide is the door and open is the way which goes to destruction, and great numbers go in by it.

Matthew 7:13 - Darby Bible

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.

Matthew 7:13 - English Standard Version

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Matthew 7:13 - King James Version

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:13 - La Biblia de las Americas

Entrad por la puerta estrecha, porque ancha es la puerta y amplia es la senda que lleva a la perdiciòn, y muchos son los que entran por ella.

Matthew 7:13 - The Message

"Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

Matthew 7:13 - New American Standard Bible

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

Matthew 7:13 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

"Entren por la puerta estrecha, porque ancha es la puerta y amplia es la senda que lleva a la perdiciòn (destrucciòn), y muchos son los que entran por ella.

Matthew 7:13 - World English Bible

Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it.

Matthew 7:13 - Young's Living Translation

`Go ye in through the strait gate, because wide [is] the gate, and broad the way that is leading to the destruction, and many are those going in through it;

Matthew 7:13 - Additional Comments

Notice that there are only 2 gates, and every person much go through one or the other. There is no middle ground. One leads to life, the other to destruction. If you asked people whether they would rather choose life or destruction, it would be easy. But it is not merely a choice - the gate to life can only be entered by faith in Jesus. Outside of that, the broad gate receives all others.
The wide gate allows men to "walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart." (Jer 18:12)
Heaven is being in the presence of God, and hell is being away from His presence. The narrow road leads to the presence of God. It is as if you started in Paris and were told to drive to Stockholm to be with your relatives - you need a road map. Any other destination would be away from them. We have road map to be with God - the Bible. Without a map, you can go where it feels good or right, or you may get a false map that won't get you where you need to go. So if someone fusses about having to take a certain path to go from Paris to Stockholm, tell them it's the only way. All other roads don't lead to Stockholm, no matter how much you complain.
Those who take the broad way will have plenty of company. There is only one right road, and it is a narrow road, and most people will not take it.
This means that those who take the narrow path are swimming up stream, against the tide. Most will tell us we are going in the wrong direction. Jesus gave us this warning, so we understand when so many others don't take the right path to God, to not be surprised, to expect it.

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