Luke 13 · Verse 23

Luke 13:23

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Luke 13:23, King James Version

Luke 13:23 in other translations

BSB“Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered,
WEBOne said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?” He said to them,
ASVAnd one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them,
YLTand a certain one said to him, ‘Sir, are those saved few?' and he said unto them,
DARBYAnd one said to him, Sir, are such as are to be saved few in number? But he said unto them,
BBEAnd someone said to him, Lord, will only a small number have salvation? And he said to them,
WebsterThen said one to him, Lord, are there few that are saved? And he said to them,

What does Luke 13:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. Lord, &c.--one of those curious questions by talking of which some flatter themselves they are religious. said unto them--the multitude; taking no notice of the man or his question, save as furnishing the occasion of a solemn warning not to trifle with so momentous a matter as "salvation."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 23. Then said one. Who this was does not appear. It is probable that he was not one of the disciples, but one of the Jews, who came either to perplex him, or to involve him in a controversy with the Pharisees.

Are there few that be saved? It was the prevalent opinion among the Jews that few would enter heaven. As but two of all the hosts that came out of Egypt entered into the land of Canaan, so some of them maintained that a proportionally small number would enter into heaven (Lightfoot). On this subject the man wished the Opinion of Jesus. It was a question of idle curiosity. The answer to it would have done little good. It was far more important for the man to secure his own salvation, than to indulge in such idle inquiries and vain speculations. Our Lord therefore advised him, as he does all, to strive to enter into heaven.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 Are there few that be saved? - A question either of impertinence or curiosity, the answer to which can profit no man. The grand question is, Can I be saved? Yes. How? Strive earnestly to enter in through the strait gate - αγωνιζεσθε, agonize - exert every power of body and soul - let your salvation be the grand business of your whole life.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 13:23-30
Our Saviour came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask not, How many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? Not, What shall become of such and such? But, What shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is, Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the strait gate, must undergo a change of the whole man. Those that would enter in, must strive to enter. Here are awakening considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that we may be all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there few that shall be saved? But let none despond either as to themselves or others, for there are last who shall be first, and first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we shall meet many there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many whom we expected to find.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Luke 13:23 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΕἶπενEipenSaidG2036
δέdethenG1161
τιςtisoneG5100
αὐτῷ·autōto Him;G846
κύριε,kurieLord,G2962
εἰeiifG1487
ὀλίγοιoligoi[are] fewG3641
οἱhoithoseG3588
σῳζόμενοι;sōzomenoibeing saved?G4982
ὁho<the>G3588
δὲdeAndG1161
εἶπενeipenHe saidG2036
πρὸςprostoG4314
αὐτούς·autousthem;G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 13:23

  • Matthew 7:14

    Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

  • Matthew 22:14

    For many are called, but few are chosen.

  • Luke 12:13-15

    And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

  • John 21:21-22

    Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

  • Matthew 20:16

    So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

  • Matthew 24:3-5

    And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

  • Matthew 19:25

    When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

  • Acts 1:7-8

    And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Mark 13:4-5

    Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

  • Luke 21:7-8

    And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
are.
Mt 7:14; 19:25; 20:16; 22:14
And.
12:13-15; 21:7,8; Mt 24:3-5; Mr 13:4,5; Joh 21:21,22; Ac 1:7,8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 13:22

    And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

  • Luke 13:23

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

  • Luke 13:24

    Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Read all of Luke 13

Luke 13:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y díjole uno: Señor, ¿son pocos los que se salvan? Y él les dijo:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et quelqu’un lui dit: Seigneur, ceux qui doivent être sauvés sont-ils en petit nombre? Et il leur dit:
German
Elberfelder 1871		Es sprach aber jemand zu ihm: Herr, sind derer wenige, die errettet werden? Er aber sprach zu ihnen:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ait autem illi quidam: Domine, si pauci sunt, qui salvantur? Ipse autem dixit ad illos: