"narrow, strait, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 13:24*"
Definition and meaning
narrow, strait, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 13:24*
In the original Greek the word is written: στενός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of stenos (G4728) across the King James Bible.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
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Common questions
Strong's G4728 (stenos) is a Greek word that means: narrow, strait, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 13:24* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word stenos (G4728) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4728 is stenos, a Greek word defined as: narrow, strait, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 13:24*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
stenos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.