Luke 13:22-33

Contemporary English Version

The Narrow Door

(Matthew 7.13,14,21-23)

²² As Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he taught the people in the towns and villages. ²³ Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

Jesus answered:

²⁴ Do all you can to go in by the narrow door! A lot of people will try to get in, but will not be able to. ²⁵ Once the owner of the house gets up and locks the door, you will be left standing outside. You will knock on the door and say, “Sir, open the door for us!”

But the owner will answer, “I don't know a thing about you!”

²⁶ Then you will start saying, “We dined with you, and you taught in our streets.”

^27 (A) But he will say, “I really don't know who you are! Get away from me, you evil people!”

^28 (B)(C) Then when you have been thrown outside, you will weep and grit your teeth because you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom. ²⁹ People will come from all directions and sit down to feast in God's kingdom. ^30 (D) There the ones who are now least important will be the most important, and those who are now most important will be least important.

Jesus and Herod

³¹ At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “You had better get away from here, because Herod^[a] wants to kill you!”

³² Jesus said to them:

Go tell that fox, “I am going to force out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and three days later I'll be through.” ³³ But I am going on my way today and tomorrow and the next day. After all, Jerusalem is the place where prophets are killed.