Matthew 7:13–29 concludes the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus discusses the choices that lead to a blessed and prosperous life when living a life of righteousness. He emphasizes the importance of not only hearing His words but also acting on them, likening those who do to a wise man who built his house on the rock and, therefore, can stand through life’s trials. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus stresses:
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
Augustinian-Calvinist preachers often interpret these verses out of context, suggesting that Jesus was implicitly threatening people with hellfire. For instance, in his sermon, “The Way to Heaven: Matthew 7:13–29.” John MacArthur preached:
Jesus Himself warned that many will deceive themselves into thinking they’re going to heaven when they’re really on the path to hell.
…The word destruction here simply refers to ultimate, eternal judgment in hell, everlasting torment.
However, the context of Matthew 7:13-14 within the Sermon on the Mount does not suggest in any way that “broad” and “destruction” refer to eternal torture in hellfire, nor that “narrow” and “life” indicate heaven for those who accept Jesus as their crucified Savior. When Jesus declared, “I am the gate” (John 10:9), it would not have been understood as Him stating, “Believe that I died for your sins.” The people who heard Jesus speak were not yet aware of his impending crucifixion and the theological implications of accepting his sacrifice for their sins. Therefore, interpreting Yeshua’s metaphors in this way seems improbable and misaligned with the original message. This modern Western interpretation is not only anachronistic but also overlooks the historical and cultural context in which Jesus’ original audience understood his teachings.
Narrow Is the Road
In this often taken-out-of-context verse, rabbi Jesus employs the metaphor of two paths (or ways), well-known imagery that echoes a common theme in both the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g., Deuteronomy 30:19, Proverbs 4:18-19, Psalm 1:6, Psalm 118:19-20) and in Jewish wisdom literature (e.g., Berakhot 28b:6, Pirkei Avot 2:1), contrasting the path of righteousness that brings blessings and prosperity with the path of wickedness leading to destructive consequences in life. This aligns with the Jewish concept of ‘Derech Hashem’ (God’s Way), where following God’s law is viewed as a narrow path that demands dedication and, at times, sacrifice—but leads to great blessings!
Small Is the Gate
The imagery of gates in the context of ancient kingdoms, particularly as used in biblical texts, is rich in symbolic meaning (e.g., Isaiah 60:11, Jeremiah 7:2, Psalm 24:7, Nehemiah 3:1, Proverbs 8:34). For instance, gates could symbolize a righteous way of living that brings blessings and prosperity:
Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.
Isaiah 26:2
To better understand the symbolism of gates, it’s helpful to consider the roles gates played in ancient times. Ancient kingdoms were typically fortified with walls, and gates were crucial entry and exit points. Most people would enter through the wide gate. It was easier to pass through and could accommodate larger groups of people and carriages with goods or large animals. It was used for regular, everyday traffic, like a modern highway.
In contrast, a narrow gate was smaller, more exclusive, and harder to find. It was often controlled or guarded and led quicker into the most private parts where the king would reside. Only privileged ones could enter it. It was much less used and represented an exclusive status and a personal, intimate relationship with the king.
The “wide gate” and the “narrow gate” are metaphorically used to represent two different paths in life. Jesus contrasts the wide gate, symbolizing most people (remember, people were religious back then; secularism did not exist), with the narrow gate, symbolizing the more exclusive remnant.
The narrow road/gate symbolizes the closeness and intimacy with God that those who walk in righteousness experience, not an escape from an eternal cosmic fire chamber—a concept that was utterly foreign to the young Jewish disciples and hearers. The narrow road/gate represents the challenging but fulfilling path of living a righteous, godly life.
The narrow gate also symbolizes a difficult, seldom-traveled path demanding diligence, discipline, ethical fortitude, and spiritual dedication. Within the framework of ancient realms, this metaphor may be interpreted as a representation of decisions and their repercussions. The broader gate, bustling with trade, might signify the common pursuit of power and riches. It was also the place where religious leaders convened, epitomizing the quest for prestige and communal endorsement. Conversely, the narrow gate might represent a life embodying the principles of Jesus’ teachings, as illustrated in his parables and the Sermon on the Mount.
Destruction
The Wide Gate symbolizes the easy, popular path that aligns with societal norms, including indulging in worldly pleasures, obstructing justice for self-gain, or following the common religious worldviews, which ultimately diverts from true spiritual fulfillment and leads to destruction. “Destruction,” much like “gates” and “roads,” was a metaphor implemented by Jesus to describe a life wasted, not an attempt to threaten us with an eternal cosmic holocaust.
I had a Jewish friend in high school who was fond of gambling and gradually became addicted to sports betting. He was frequently cautioned that this path could lead to his life’s destruction—not in the afterlife, but in his earthly future. Sadly, he lost everything and faced real ruin. On the other hand, I had another Jewish friend whose life was devastated by drug addiction. His life was literally a hell he could not escape. It is pointless to threaten people with addiction to hell; they are already there and can teach us what it feels like. He recognized the need for change but couldn’t do anything about it. One day, a Christian in recovery offered him a helping hand, and he embarked on a journey to overcome his addiction by following “the narrow way.” He triumphed, finding a new lease on life. Now, he runs a thriving business and has a wonderful family.
For the sake of argument, if we entertain the Augustinian-Calvinist perspective, we face a contradiction since most Protestants believe salvation or justification comes through faith alone. However, if Jesus’s words (“only a few find it”) were about avoiding eternal torture in hellfire, it would indicate he was promoting a salvation that requires work. Hard work. Yet, if salvation is truly a free gift of grace, these verses may be interpreted as referring to the immediate consequences of our choices and actions in this life.
Destruction transcends the mere physical realm; its reach extends into the spiritual and emotional aspects of life. I have observed numerous individuals, both from my Jewish and Christian circles, who have been ensnared by an excessive devotion to religious formalities. This adherence to strict legalism often breeds a host of negative traits. Initially, it may start with a rigid adherence to rituals and rules, but gradually, this can lead to deeper psychological impacts. These individuals become increasingly anxious, struggling with the fear of not meeting high religious standards. They often turn unkind, their compassion overshadowed by judgment and criticism of those who do not adhere as strictly to religious norms. Ultimately, this path can lead to profound sadness and depression, as the joy that faith is supposed to bring gets lost in the relentless pursuit of religious perfection. This transformation is a poignant reminder of the destructive power of misapplied religious fervor, affecting the mind and spirit just as profoundly as physical forces can ravage the body.
Conclusion
The contrast between the wide and narrow gates and roads in ancient parables symbolizes life decisions, ethical courses, and spiritual passages that influence our daily existence. The wide gate symbolizes the effortless, common route many select, whereas the narrow gate represents the arduous, seldom-trodden path that leads to genuine satisfaction in accordance with the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Jesus likely employs kingdom imagery to distinguish between earthly and spiritual accomplishments. Choosing the narrow gate might not yield immediate worldly acclaim, but it fosters a more intimate, profound connection with God and a more lasting form of esteem and honor—one that aligns with the divine will and timeless spiritual tenets. In essence, Jesus’s teachings advocate for deliberate choices concerning the direction of one’s life. He encourages his disciples to deliberately select their course, fully conscious of the consequences of their decisions in both this existence and in the afterlife.
This article was a copy-paste from my new book on hell: HELL: A Jewish Perspective on a Christian Doctrine
