Wide Is The Gate

Album: Et Tu, Brute? (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title comes from scripture, a passage from Matthew 7:13-14 that reads:

    Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

    The song reflects the spiritual beliefs of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus frontman Ronnie Winter, who is also their lyricist.
  • The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus embraced their Christian fanbase with this song and the others from their 2013 EP Et Tu, Brute? Their first album, Don't You Fake It, was released in 2006 on Virgin Records and includes the hit "Face Down," a gripping song about domestic violence that was big in mainstream rock circles but also went to #1 on the Christian Rock chart. The band left Virgin in 2010 and went in a more Christian direction. "Wide Is The Gate" also topped the Christian Rock chart, as did five of their other songs, including "Am I the Enemy" and "Remember Me." They got more secular on their 2025 album X's For Eyes.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.