Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 13:23

εἰ ὀλίγοι οἱ σωζόμενοι; For εἰ introducing a dubious question see Matthew 12:10. The question may naturally have arisen from the last teachings respecting the small beginnings of the Kingdom of God. There is nothing to shew whether it was suggested by speculative curiosity, or by despondent pity. But without directly rebuking such questions, our Lord, as in other instances, strove to place the questioners in a wiser frame of mind (Deuteronomy 29:29). The answer is a direct discouragement to all pitiless, and especially to all self-righteous, eschatologies. It is a solemn assertion of the necessity for earnest, personal endeavour. Thus to all idle attempts to define the certainties of the future, our Lord says, Consider the question with reference to yourself, not with reference to others. Look at it in the spirit of the publican, not in the spirit of the Pharisee. The wisdom and necessity of the answer may be seen from 2 Esdras 8, where the question is discussed, and where it is assumed that few only will be saved, “The most High hath made this world for many, but the world to come for few” (Luke 8:1). “There are many more of them which perish than of them which shall be saved; like as a wave is greater than a drop” (Luke 9:15-16). “Let the multitude perish then” (id. 22). Part, at least, of the Book of Esdras is probably post-Christian.

οἱ σωζόμενοι. Literally, ‘who are being saved,’ i.e. who are in the way of salvation. The same word occurs in Acts 2:47, and is the opposite to ἀπολλύμενοι, ‘those that are perishing,’ 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 13:23

Old Testament

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