Why gate is beginning

There are three options for the relationship between gate and way.

Arguments in favor of gate marking beginning of way:

word order, pointed out by commentators.

Second, relation to other passages in context. Good tree bears good fruit. Fruit related to life lived (natural connection w/ way). Thus tree marks beginning/nature that produces certain life (narrow gate entrance leads to narrow way). Same w/ end. Hearing Christ’s words gives implication for handling persecutions and struggles in life. Two stages: must hear and do.

It could also be both. The gate would represent entrance into the eschatological kingdom associated with judgment. Following Christ now means participation in that eschatological kingdom (realized eschatology) and thus parallels the entrance through the gate on the last day.