Pilgrim gets to the gate finally, and knocks several times, and expresses his desire that the gate be opened for him, though he is an unworthy Rebel. At last, a serious looking person, Goodwill comes, asks who is at the Gate and what he wants. Pilgrim repeats his request to Goodwill, saying he is escaping from the City of Destruction and going to Mount Zion. Goodwill replies, "I'm willing with all my heart," and opens the gate. Just as Christian is stepping in, Goodwill reaches out and pulls Christian in. Christian is surprised by the quick motion and asks "Why did you do that?" Goodwill says that a short distance away, there is a castle ruled by Beelzebub, from which he and those with him shoot arrows to those who come to the Gate.
After Christian is inside the Gate, he and Goodwill converse over many things. Why did Christian come alone? Did anyone try to prevent his journey? Why did Pliable fall away? Nothing is withheld; Christian even refuses to judge Pliable for falling away, as he tells how he, himself, fell away from the path after his encounter with Mr. Worldly Wiseman, and his attempt to go up the mountain to the town of Morality. Goodwill says it was good that Christian escaped being smashed to pieces by the mountain. He also says "In spite of everything people have done before they come here, we make no objections against anyone. No one will ever be driven away. Therefore, Christian, travel awhile with me, and I'll teach you about the way you must go. Look in front of you. Do you see that Narrow Road? That is the way you must go. It was constructed by the Patriarchs, Prophets, Christ, and His Apostles; and it is as straight as a ruler can make it. This is the way you must go." Christian asks if there are any twists or turns to watch out for, and Goodwill says there are, but he can always judge the true path because it is the only one that is straight and narrow.
Christian then asks if anything can be done about the burden on his back. Goodwill tells him, "Concerning your burden, be content to bear it until you come to the Place of Deliverance, for there it will fall from your back by itself." Goodwill then tells him that he will soon come to the house of the Interpreter, and that he should stop there in order to be shown some excellent things. With that, Goodwill bids him God speed, and Christian continues his journey.
Thoughts on this chapter
The footnote on the sentence where Goodwill pulls Christian through the Gate says that this is meant to show how God is active in bringing people into the safety of His care. It is the good will of God that causes Him to take the first step in the salvation of every soul. Beelzebub is introduced as the enemy of pilgrims at this point. Up to now, all Christian's enemies were his peers. Now he faces the prospect of supernatural opposition, though Goodwill protects him from it for now.