Broadway Gate
Broadway Gate is a detail in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress (Part I) that carries important symbolic meaning.
Explanation
Broadway Gate is the wide entrance that leads onto the broad road — the easy, popular way that many people take. It stands in contrast to the narrow Wicket Gate, which represents Christ and the way of salvation by faith alone.
Little-Faith, being weak and not fully alert, took a path that came off Broadway Gate. This led him straight into Dead Man’s Lane — a dangerous, robber-infested area where he was attacked by Faint-heart, Mistrust, and Guilt.
Real-World Examples
- Popular but Compromised Religion Many people choose a comfortable, cultural Christianity that emphasizes self-help, prosperity, or “God wants you to be happy” messages. It feels good and has large crowds, but it avoids the narrow way of repentance, self-denial, and obedience to Christ. This is a classic Broadway Gate — attractive on the outside, but it leaves people unprepared for trials and without true assurance.
- Following the Crowd in Moral Compromise Going along with society’s shifting standards on marriage, sexuality, honesty, or materialism. It feels normal and “tolerant,” and you’re accepted by friends and culture. Yet it leads to Dead Man’s Lane — guilt, emptiness, and spiritual robbery. Little-Faith fell asleep in the wrong place; many today casually walk the broad way without realizing the danger.
- Trusting in Religious Performance or Tradition Relying on church attendance, rituals, good works, or family heritage for salvation instead of simple faith in Yeshua alone. It feels safe and respectable, but it is a wide gate that bypasses the narrow Wicket Gate. Bunyan’s Formalist and Hypocrisy climbed over the wall instead of entering through the Gate — same idea.
- Seeking Peace Through Compromise or Syncretism Mixing biblical truth with other spiritual ideas, new age practices, or modern philosophies “to be more inclusive.” It seems enlightened and peaceful, but it robs people of the true Gospel and leaves them without the real jewels of salvation.
Bull’s Eye – Yeshua Alone
Broadway Gate is a picture of the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). It looks appealing and well-traveled, but it is filled with hidden dangers and ultimately leads away from life.
The only safe entrance is the narrow Wicket Gate — Yeshua Himself. Any path that begins at Broadway Gate, no matter how easy or popular, leads to spiritual danger and loss.
Lesson for Pilgrims
We must be vigilant not to wander onto side paths that come off the broad way. Even genuine but weak believers (like Little-Faith) can be robbed of joy and peace when they stray. The safest place is to stay on the narrow way, keeping our eyes fixed on the true Gate and the shining Light.
“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
Cross-References - The Wicket Gate - The Narrow Gate (Pilgrim’s Progress Overview) - Little-Faith - Bull’s Eye – Yeshua Alone