What does “difficult is the way which leads to life” mean (Matthew 7:14)?

There are two paths in life to choose from: the broad and the narrow (Matthew 7:13–14). The wide path is easy but leads to destruction, and the narrow path is difficult but leads to eternal life. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13–14, NKJV).

The Greek word translated as “difficult” in Matthew 7:14 means “distressed, afflicted, or marked by tribulation.” The ESV translates it as “hard” and the NASB as “constricted.” The narrow path that leads to life is difficult for several reasons:

The “many” choose the broad path that leads to destruction because they prefer comfort and pleasure, even if it’s temporary. They are unwilling to pay the cost of discipleship. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Denying oneself and carrying a cross is not something most people are interested in.

Eternal life begins right now, with the experience of knowing God. Jesus prayed, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3, NKJV). Abundant, eternal life is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV). But that choice to accept the life Jesus offers sets one on a difficult path.

Several passages reinforce Jesus’ teaching about the difficult path that leads to life:

Our Lord Jesus took the “difficult” way Himself. But His path ended in glory: He “endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV). All who follow Him in faith will tread the same path and reach the same destination.

Poet Christina Rossetti understood the Christian life, and she described it in her 1862 poem “Up-hill.” The conversation in this poem highlights both the fear of the difficulty of the climb and the hope of rest at the summit: