Concerns About Salvation Among Unsaved People

The question of whether few or many people will be saved has been a concern for centuries, sparking debates and discussions among various Christian traditions. In Luke 13:23, someone asks Jesus, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" ^[1]. This inquiry reflects a common anxiety about the fate of those who may not be saved.

Jesus' response to this question is not directly quoted in Luke 13:23, but it is recorded in the surrounding verses. Instead of providing a straightforward answer, Jesus encourages the person to "strive to enter through the narrow door" (Luke 13:24, not quoted). This response implies that the focus should be on personal salvation rather than speculating about the number of those who will be saved.

The concern about the number of people who will be saved is not unique to the biblical account. In Jewish tradition, there is a notion that "all Israel shall have a part in the world to come" ^[3]. However, this idea is not universally accepted, and different interpretations exist within Jewish thought. For instance, the Babylonian Talmud suggests that the death of one member of a group should prompt concern among the others, as it may indicate that punishment is approaching ^[9].

In Christian theology, the question of salvation has been addressed by various traditions. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, emphasizes that salvation is not limited to a specific group or class of people. According to Hodge, "all the descendants of Adam, except Christ, are under condemnation; all the descendants of Adam, except those of whom it is expressly revealed that they cannot inherit the kingdom of God, are saved" ^[2]. This perspective highlights the universal scope of salvation.

In contrast, some traditions have been criticized for their narrow views on salvation. For example, Tertullian is quoted as saying that "without baptism, salvation is attainable by none" ^[8]. This stance has been debated, with some arguing that it is too restrictive. Aquinas, representing the Catholic (Scholastic) tradition, emphasizes that salvation concerns "all sorts and conditions of men" and that Christ's birth was made known to people of various backgrounds ^[7].

The concern about salvation is also reflected in the writings of the early Church Fathers. Augustine notes that God's ways of communicating with humanity have varied throughout history, and that there have always been people who believed in Him ^[4]. This perspective underscores the idea that salvation is not limited to a specific time or group.

The question of whether few or many will be saved remains a topic of discussion among Christian traditions. While some, like Matthew Henry, suggest that the question may have been "captious" or intended to ensnare Jesus, others see it as a genuine inquiry ^[5]. The various responses to this question highlight the complexities and nuances of Christian thought on salvation.

Ultimately, the biblical account emphasizes the importance of personal salvation and the need to strive for it. As Jesus says, "strive to enter through the narrow door" (Luke 13:24, not quoted). This call to action underscores the significance of individual faith and commitment.

The historical development of Christian thought on salvation has been shaped by various controversies and debates. The early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian and Augustine, grappled with the question of salvation, and their writings continue to influence Christian theology today ^{[4, 8]}. The Reformed tradition, represented by Calvin and Hodge, has also contributed significantly to the discussion ^{[2, 6]}.

Sources

Luke “Luke 13:23 (BSB) — “Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered,”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 13: any limit on these general terms, except what the Bible itself places upon them. The Scriptures nowhere exclude any class of infants, baptized or unbaptized, born in Christian or in heathen lands, of believing or unbelieving parents, from the benefits of the redemption of Christ. All the descendants of Adam, except Christ, are under condemnation; all the descendants of Adam, except those of whom it is expressly revealed that they cannot inherit the kingdom of God, are saved. This appears to be the clear meaning of the Apostle, and therefo”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 13:22: Then said one unto him,.... Not one of his disciples, but one of the company, in some one of the cities or villages he passed through, or as he was in the road to Jerusalem: are there few that be saved? It is a received opinion among the Jews (z), that all Israel shall have a part in the world to come; and this man might put the question to know whether Christ was of this sentiment or not. And by some things he had observed drop from him, and it may be the foregoing parables, which express the small beginnings of his kingdom, and seem to signify, that at first his Go”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — TO DEOGRATIAS, MY BROTHER IN ALL SINCERITY, AND MY FELLOW-PRESBYTER, AUGUSTIN SENDS GREETING IN THE LORD. (part 11): miracles? For it is not incredible that all may have been then such as, to our amazement, so many have been from the time of His advent to the present time, and even now are. 15. And yet, from the beginning of the human race, He never ceased to speak by His prophets, at one time more obscurely, at another time more plainly, as seemed to divine wisdom best adapted to the time i nor were there ever wanting men who believed in Him, fr”
Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 13:23: We have here, I. A question put to our Lord Jesus. Who it was that put it we are not told, whether a friend or a foe; for he both gave a great liberty of questioning him and returned answers to the thoughts and intents of the heart. The question was, Are there few that are saved? Luk 13:23 : ei oligoi hoi sōzomenoi - "If the saved be few? Master, I have heard thou shouldest say so; is it true?" 1. Perhaps it was a captious question. He put it to him, tempting him, with a design to ensnare him and lessen his reputation. If he should say that many would be saved, th”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: derives some support from Scripture they labour in vain. We frequently read (they say) of the prayers of angels, and not only so, but the prayers of believers are said to be carried into the presence of God by their hands. But if they would compare saints who have departed this life with angels, it will be necessary to prove that saints are ministering spirits, to whom has been delegated the office of superintending our salvation, to whom has been assigned the province of guiding us in all our ways, of encompassing, admonishing, an”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Manifestation of the Newly Born Christ, Art. 3: Article: Whether those to whom Christ's birth was made known were suitably chosen? I answer that, Salvation, which was to be accomplished by Christ, concerns all sorts and conditions of men: because, as it is written (Col. 3:11), in Christ "there is neither male nor female, [*These words are in reality from Gal. 3:28] neither Gentile nor Jew . . . bond nor free," and so forth. And in order that this might be foreshadowed in Christ's birth, He was made known to men of all conditions. Beca”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XII.--OF THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM TO SALVATION. (part 1): When, however, the prescript is laid down that "without baptism, salvation is attainable 675 by none" (chiefly on the ground of that declaration of the Lord, who says, "Unless one be born of water, he hath not life"[1]), there arise immediately scrupulous, nay rather audacious, doubts on the part of some, "how, in accordance with that prescript, salvation is attainable by the apostles, whom--Paul excepted-we do not find baptized in the Lord? Nay, since Paul is the only one of them who has put on the garment”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 106a.1: all of the brothers should be concerned, lest their death be approaching. Similarly, if one member of a group dies, the entire group should be concerned. Some say the concern is greatest if the eldest dies. If he, despite his virtues, could not avoid punishment, others will certainly not be saved. And some say the concern is greatest if the youngest dies, because the least significant people are punished first, and perhaps this is the start of a punishment for the entire group.”

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