Matthew 7:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 7:13 mean?

Matthew 7:13 warns that the way to true life with God is narrow and difficult to find, while the path that leads to ruin is wide and easy, with many people choosing it. Jesus urges his listeners to deliberately choose the more challenging, less popular way that leads to life.

Jesus is speaking to a crowd during his Sermon on the Mount, teaching about what it means to truly follow God. He uses the image of two gates and two roads to show that not all paths are equal—one is "strait" (narrow and hard to enter), and the other is wide and easy but leads to destruction. The verse emphasizes a choice and the reality that most people will not choose the harder, right path.

The Greek behind Matthew 7:13

• "Strait" (στενός, stenós): This word means narrow, tight, or difficult to get through. It suggests that entering the right way requires effort or a conscious decision, not just following the crowd.
• "Destruction" (ἀπώλεια, apóleia): This word often refers to ruin, loss, or utter destruction—not just physical death, but a sense of being lost or wasted. It highlights the seriousness of choosing the wrong path.
• "Broad" (εὐρύχωρος, eurýchōros): This word describes something spacious or roomy, easy to travel. It paints a picture of a path that is comfortable and popular, but ultimately dangerous.

Why Matthew 7:13 matters

• Matthew 7:13 clears up the idea that following God is always easy or popular; Jesus says the opposite, that the right way is often hard and chosen by few.
• The verse connects to the larger message of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus calls for a deeper, more genuine righteousness than just outward religion.
• The imagery of gates and roads helps readers see that spiritual choices have real consequences, and that not all paths lead to the same destination.