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Luk 13:24. Ἀγωνίζεσθε, strive as in a contest) A merely speculative question is at the very outset turned to a practical account: strive by faith, with prayers, holiness, patient perseverance. However there follows also a reply to the subject of the question: see Luk 13:28, et seqq. [There are many, indeed, who are being saved, Luk 13:28-29; but they are such persons whom, of all men, thou wouldest have supposed least likely to be saved, Luk 13:29-30.-V. g.]-πολλοὶ) many, including Israelites also: see Rom 9:31. In antithesis to the ὀλίγοι, few.-οὐκ ἰσχύσουσιν, shall not be able) יכל, LXX. ἰσχύω, absolutely. The contest (agon, from ἀγωνίζεσθε) is maintained by strength, especially the contest which we have in relation to God. They shall not have strength; namely, because they seek near by and about the gate [but do not go straight and direct, and with decision, to the entrance itself], and so at length, when the gate has been firmly shut fast, they shall not be able to burst through it: They neither seek in good earnest, nor put forth the strength which is needed for victory. See Luk 13:27 at the end.