Mark 4 15

Mark 4:15 kjv

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Mark 4:15 nkjv

And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Mark 4:15 niv

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Mark 4:15 esv

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

Mark 4:15 nlt

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 15 Meaning

Mark 4:15 explains the meaning of the seed that fell "along the path" in the parable of the sower. It refers to those who hear the word of God, but their hearts are like a hard, unreceptive path. As soon as the divine message is sown, Satan, the adversary, immediately comes and snatches it away from them. This immediate removal prevents the word from taking root, being understood, or bearing fruit, symbolizing a profound initial resistance or lack of genuine receptivity to the gospel message.

Mark 4 15 Context

Mark 4 opens with Jesus teaching a large crowd by the sea using parables, beginning with the Parable of the Sower (vv. 3-9). After the parable, the disciples privately ask Jesus to explain its meaning (vv. 10-13). Jesus then explains that parables reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God to those on the "inside" but conceal them from those "outside." Verses 14-20 provide the direct interpretation of the Sower parable, dissecting the different types of ground and their respective responses to "the word." Verse 15 specifically addresses the first type of soil, the "wayside" hearers, explaining why the seed fails to germinate in such conditions. This sets up the pattern for understanding the other soil types that follow.

Mark 4 15 Word analysis

• "These are the ones" (οὗτοί εἰσιν - houtoi eisin): Establishes a direct identification between the group of hearers and the first category of soil. It signals Jesus is providing the interpretative key.
• "along the path" (παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν - para ten hodon): Literally "beside the road/way." This phrase describes the hardened ground, trampled and impervious. Metaphorically, it refers to hearts that are calloused, distracted, or unreceptive due to spiritual neglect or worldly entanglement.
• "where the word is sown" (ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος - hopou speiretai ho logos):
  • "the word" (ὁ λόγος - ho logos): Refers to the divine message, the gospel, the truth of the kingdom of God, or even Christ Himself as the ultimate Word (Jn 1:1). It's the spiritual seed.
  • "is sown" (σπείρεται - speiretai): Passive voice, implying the active work of the sower (Jesus or His messengers) and the divine initiative in bringing the message.
• "and whenever" (καὶ ὅταν - kai hotan): Introduces a frequent or characteristic occurrence, emphasizing that this reaction is typical for such hearers.
• "they hear" (ἀκούσωσιν - akousōsin): The act of perceiving the message with their ears, but without the corresponding inward understanding or reception that leads to transformation.
• "immediately" (εὐθύς - euthys): A characteristic adverb in Mark's Gospel, often emphasizing immediacy and urgency. Here, it highlights Satan's swift action in preventing any potential rooting of the word. There's no delay.
• "Satan" (ὁ Σατανᾶς - ho Satanas): A transliterated Hebrew/Aramaic term meaning "adversary" or "accuser." Not just an abstract force, but a personal, spiritual enemy of God and humanity. He actively opposes the spread and reception of God's truth.
• "comes" (ἔρχεται - erchetai): Indicates an active, intentional intrusion into the scene. Satan doesn't wait but swiftly takes initiative.
• "and takes away" (καὶ αἴρει - kai airei): Meaning to "take up," "remove," "lift away," or "snatch." It implies a forceful and effective removal of the word from the hearer's heart or mind. The word cannot dwell or grow.
• "the word that was sown in them" (τὸν λόγον τὸν ἐσπαρμένον εἰς αὐτούς - ton logon ton esparmenon eis autous): "In them" (εἰς αὐτούς) signifies that the word momentarily entered their sphere of hearing or awareness, but Satan quickly eliminates it before it can truly reside and produce fruit.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "These are the ones along the path where the word is sown": This phrase identifies the specific type of hearer, characterizing them by the hard, unturned ground symbolic of their unreceptive hearts, which allows the seed (the word) no entry or foothold.
• "and whenever they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away": This sequence emphasizes the swiftness of the enemy's attack. The moment the hearing occurs, the adversary is present to prevent spiritual germination. The lack of genuine inward reception is matched by immediate outward spiritual theft.
• "the word that was sown in them": Highlights the specific target of Satan's theft: the divine truth planted within the reach of their understanding, before it can take hold, be understood, and change lives.

Mark 4 15 Bonus section

• This verse underscores the reality of an active, malevolent spiritual force, Satan, who is directly involved in hindering the reception of God's truth. It is not merely about human will but also about the adversary's deliberate strategy.
• The "immediacy" (euthys) found here is typical of Mark's Gospel, reinforcing the urgency and rapidity of Satan's work in opposition to the kingdom of God. This immediate snatching leaves no room for processing or deeper thought, illustrating the importance of initial responsiveness to spiritual promptings.
• While Mark 4:15 points to Satan's role, the preceding identification ("those along the path") implicitly places responsibility on the condition of the hearer's heart. A heart made hard by sin, unbelief, or distraction creates the perfect environment for Satan's theft. Therefore, guarding one's heart (Prov 4:23) against hardness is critical in preparing to receive the word.

Mark 4 15 Commentary

Mark 4:15 succinctly reveals the first, and arguably most devastating, failure in receiving the word of God. The "wayside" listener represents a heart that is so hardened, unprepared, or resistant that the word finds no ground to penetrate. This isn't just about passive inattentiveness; it's an active non-reception. Crucially, Jesus attributes the word's immediate removal not to the hearer's lack of intellect or simple distraction, but to the direct, active intervention of Satan. As soon as the word is heard, the evil one swiftly comes to snatch it away, preventing any possibility of comprehension, belief, or genuine response. This spiritual sabotage ensures the word never takes root, illustrating the adversarial nature of spiritual warfare against the truth of the gospel. It emphasizes the importance of a prepared and receptive heart for the word to thrive and bear fruit. Without a willing heart to embrace and safeguard the message, it remains vulnerable to spiritual theft.