Atheists interpret bible verses

[Jenny A]

It's an exhortation by Jesus to behave well or suffer death.   It's been used in the faith versus works debate on the side of works.  Also in the predestination debates on the side of predestination.  It's a little odd in light of later claims that mere belief in Jesus leads to everlasting life.

Your analysis is upside down.
It's an exhortation by Jesus that behaving well won't save you from death. It's in favor of mere belief in Jesus leading to everlasting life; one strait gate/one narrow way.

It would help if you Christians all agreed about what it meant. BTW, when Jesus said it, he hadn't been crucified yet, so the door to everlasting life via salvation was not yet open. There's a similar problem with John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;

KJV