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NASB | Luke 13:23 And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 13:23 And someone asked Him, "Lord, will only a few be saved [from the penalties of the last judgment]?" And He said to them, |
Bible Question:
True … we do not know who will believe (Matthew 13:3-23;Mark 4:3-20;Luke 8:5-15). But do we have an idea how many? Someone has calculated the percentages based on the number of types of ground. Since there are four types of ground, he thinks that twenty-five percent of the people who hear the word will bring forth fruit. Yet there is nothing to suggest that the types of ground represent an equal number of people. Based on the verses cited in the original question, it seems that something less than one percent of the people who hear the Gospel will believe (few vs. many in Matthew 7, millions in Revelation 5 and 7 vs. billions who will have passed this way). It seems to this writer that a consideration of this ratio may affect the preacher of the Gospel as well as the person listening to the Gospel. Their situations may be analogous to those of an NBA scout and an aspiring player. I say this only to aid the understanding. But, as Jesus would say again, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16; Matthew 22:2-14). The preacher is told to preach without regard to results (2 Timothy 4:2). But the hearer is told to strive (Luke 13:24). This topic may be worth of further consideration on the part of the preacher who may be discouraged and on the part of the hearer who is careless. Few will be saved (Matthew 7:14). How must the preacher and the hearer react to the fact? (See Luke 16:16). |
Bible Answer: We do not know how many ... Jeremiah saw no one come to the Lord ... we all must do our part, people reject Christ and not us. |