The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is how the devil's action is directly tied to preventing salvation. He doesn't just steal a hearing; he actively snatches the word so that belief, and ultimately being saved, is made impossible. This highlights the profound spiritual warfare involved even in simply hearing God's message.
The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is explaining a parable about a sower scattering seed, and this verse describes the first of four types of soil – the hard path. This hard ground represents people who hear God's word but immediately have it snatched away by the devil, preventing them from truly believing and being saved. The context shows that the effectiveness of God's word depends on the heart's receptiveness, with various spiritual dangers hindering spiritual growth.
Why does the devil go to such lengths to steal a word that’s barely been heard? This first group, the path hearers, aren't just indifferent; their hearts are like a well-trodden road.
Jesus paints a stark picture of the 'path' hearers. Their hearts aren't just unprepared; they're hardened, like a public footpath pounded flat by constant traffic.
Why is the devil so desperate to stop someone from believing and being saved? This passage reveals his ultimate goal and the urgency of God's Word.
Luke’s Gospel, in particular, is very clear about the devil’s intent.
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Understand the original words
diabolos · Greek Noun
The supreme adversary of God and humanity, acting as the accuser, tempter, and deceiver who actively works to prevent the reception and fruition of the gospel.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To place confidence or trust in the object of faith; in a biblical sense, it involves a personal commitment and reliance upon God's promise and Jesus Christ for salvation.
sōzō · Greek Verb
Deliverance from divine judgment, sin, and death through faith in Christ; it denotes being brought into a state of relationship with God and the promise of eternal life.
This passage from Matthew's account of the same parable directly explains that the 'path' represents those who hear the word of the kingdom but do not understand it, making them vulnerable to having it snatched away.
1 Samuel 12:24This verse urges obedience and earnest consideration of God's mighty deeds, echoing the need to truly receive and let God's word take root, rather than letting it be easily lost.
Hebrews 2:1This passage strongly warns against drifting away from the foundational truths we've heard, highlighting the danger of letting God's message slip through our grasp, similar to the seed on the path.
2 Corinthians 4:4This verse speaks of Satan as 'the god of this age' blinding those who do not believe, directly connecting the enemy's work to hindering people from seeing the light of the gospel and being saved.
James 1:22This verse emphasizes the importance of being doers of the word and not just hearers, underscoring that simply hearing without internalizing and acting upon it leaves one susceptible to having the word forgotten or ignored.
calvinLuke 8:11-15: "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
- Hear therefore the parable of the sower. 19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth not, that wicked one cometh, and taketh away what was sown in the heart. This is he who received seed near the road. 20. But he that received the seed thrown into stony places, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy: 21. But hath not root in himself, but is of short duration: when afflic…
clarkeLuke 8:12: "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved."
Those by the way side - Bishop Pearce thinks that Luke by οἱ here means σποροι, the seeds, though he acknowledges that he has never found such a word as σποροι in the plural number signifying seeds.
What's easily missed here is how the devil's action is directly tied to preventing salvation. He doesn't just steal a hearing; he actively snatches the word so that belief, and ultimately being saved, is made impossible. This highlights the profound spiritual warfare involved even in simply hearing God's message.
Jesus is explaining a parable about a sower scattering seed, and this verse describes the first of four types of soil – the hard path. This hard ground represents people who hear God's word but immediately have it snatched away by the devil, preventing them from truly believing and being saved. The context shows that the effectiveness of God's word depends on the heart's receptiveness, with various spiritual dangers hindering spiritual growth.
Jesus is explaining a parable about a sower scattering seed, and this verse describes the first of four types of soil – the hard path. This hard ground represents people who hear God's word but immediately have it snatched away by the devil, preventing them from truly believing and being saved. The context shows that the effectiveness of God's word depends on the heart's receptiveness, with various spiritual dangers hindering spiritual growth.
"The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved." — What's easily missed here is how the devil's action is directly tied to preventing salvation. He doesn't just steal a hearing; he actively snatches the word so that belief, and ultimately being saved…
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Last reviewed October 2026