Then said one to him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said to them,
Then said one to him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said to them,
And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them,
And someone said to him, Lord, will only a small number have salvation? And he said to them,
Then said one to him, Lord, are there few that are saved? And he said to them,
One said to him, "Lord, are they few who are saved?" He said to them,
And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Are there few that be saved? - A question either of impertinence or curiosity, the answer to which can profit no man. The grand question is, Can I be saved? Yes. How? Strive earnestly to enter in through the strait gate - αγωνιζεσθε, agonize - exert every power of body and soul - let your salvation be the grand business of your whole life.
Then said one - Who this was does not appear. It is probable that he was not one of the disciples, but one of the Jews, who came either to perplex him, or to involve him in a controversy with the Pharisees.
Are there few that be saved? - It was the prevalent opinion among the Jews that few would enter heaven. As but two of all the hosts that came out of Egypt entered into the land of Canaan, so some of them maintained that a proportionally small number would enter into heaven (Lightfoot). On this subject the man wished the opinion of Jesus. It was a question of idle curiosity. The answer to it would have done little good. It was far more important for the man to secure his own salvation, than to indulge in such idle inquiries and vain speculations. Our Lord therefore advised "him," as he does "all, to strive" to enter into heaven.