The writings of Luke the physician starting with his version of the gospel - Luke 13:23-30 comments: strait is the gate and narrow is the way

Luke 13:23 ¶  Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 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. 25  When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26  Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29  And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30  And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Here, based on the context, seems to be a direct attack on Israel’s unfaithfulness. Verses 28 and 29 show that this passage is referring to them and to the multitudes of Gentiles who will believe and turn to God through Christ. It is also clear that many people who claim to be Christians are not and this will be sorted out in time. It is possible to attend church, even to pray and read your Bible, and no more have a heart of faith and belief than someone who claims to be an atheist.

2Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

The Jews here who do not come into the kingdom of God are said to be workers of iniquity. This is a phrase used frequently in the Old Testament writings. In the following it is evildoers.

 Psalm 37:1  « A Psalm of David. » Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

The trouble with the religious elite of Christ’s day on earth was that their disobedience to the spirit of God’s commands expressed itself by their creating volumes of rules and regulations that had nothing to do with Him but only their own self-righteousness and that their actions prevented others from believing in faith. This is not unlike many Protestant Fundamentalists today in America.

Matthew 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Jesus makes it clear here that there is a limit to God’s forbearance and patience and there will come a time when they will plead too late to enter into God’s abode.