{By the narrow gate} (dia t(8873) sten(8873) pul(8873)). The
Authorized Version "at the strait gate" misled those who did not
distinguish between "strait" and "straight." The figure of the
Two Ways had a wide circulation in Jewish and Christian writings
(cf.  De 30:19  Jer 21:8  Ps 1 ). See the _Didache_ i-vi;
Barnabas xviii-xx. "The narrow gate" is repeated in verse  14 
and {straitened the way} (	ethlimmen(8820)h(8820)hodos) added. The way
is "compressed," narrowed as in a defile between high rocks, a
tight place like stenoch(9372)ia in  Ro 8:35 . "The way that leads
to life involves straits and afflictions" (McNeile). Vincent
quotes the _Pinax_ or _Tablet_ of Cebes, a contemporary of
Socrates: "Seest thou not, then, a little door, and a way before
the door, which is not much crowded, but very few travel it? This
is the way that leadeth unto true culture." "The broad way"
(euruch(9372)os) is in every city, town, village, with the glaring
white lights that lure to destruction.