Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

LUKE 13:23KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 13:23 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:23 mean?

Luke 13:23 describes someone asking Jesus if only a small number of people will be saved, and Jesus responding to the group. The verse highlights a question about how many people will ultimately find salvation, showing the concern about who belongs to God’s kingdom.

In this scene, Jesus is traveling and teaching, and an unnamed person addresses him as "Lord," asking whether the number of those who are saved is limited. The question reflects a common debate among Jews of that time about who would be included in God’s final rescue. Jesus does not answer directly in this verse but turns to address the crowd, preparing to teach about the nature of entering God’s kingdom.

The Greek behind Luke 13:23

  • "εἰ (ei)" (G1487) and "ὀλίγοι (oligoi)" (G3641): Together, these words form the question about whether "few" will be saved. The Greek phrasing suggests uncertainty and concern about the number, not just curiosity.
  • "σώζω (sōzō)" (G4982): This is the word for "saved," which in this context means being rescued or delivered, often understood as entering God’s kingdom or receiving eternal life. The word carries a sense of being made safe or whole, not just escaping danger.

Why Luke 13:23 matters

  • Luke 13:23 shows that questions about who is included in God’s salvation were common and important in Jesus’ time, not just today.
  • The verse sets up Jesus’ teaching that follows, where he shifts the focus from numbers to the personal responsibility of seeking entry into God’s kingdom.
  • Understanding the original Greek phrasing helps clarify that the question was about the difficulty or rarity of being saved, not just a casual curiosity.

Where else these words appear

“few” Greek G3641 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
  • 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

“saved” Greek G4982 · used in 103 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
  • Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.