ἀγωνίζεσθε εἰς.: stronger than Mt.'s εἰσέλθετε, suggesting the idea of a struggle or prize-fight (1 Corinthians 9:25) in which only a few can win, so virtually answering the question in the affirmative. διὰ τ. σ. θύρας, through the narrow door (πύλης, gate, in Mt.): no interpretation of the door here any more than in Mt. But the connection suggests repentance (Luke 13:23; Luke 13:25). The Kingdom of Heaven is here conceived of as a house. πολλοί : the idea is that many shall desire admission and shall not obtain it. The reason in the parable is the narrowness of the door, making it impossible for so many to get in in a short time. All are in earnest; no stress is to be laid on ζητήσουσιν, shall seek, as if it meant something less than ἀγωνίζεσθε (Godet). All strive, but success is for the strongest who can push the weaker aside. So in the parable. In the interpretation the one point to be insisted on is: be in dead earnest.

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Old Testament