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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The ancient Greek hints that "in their hearts" might be better understood as "into them," suggesting that the word doesn't truly lodge within the person, but is merely intercepted before it can take root. This highlights that Satan's work isn't about stealing deeply held beliefs, but about preventing the word from ever truly being received in the first place. It's a snatch-and-grab operation, happening so fast it's like a bird swooping down before the seed can be covered.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower, using the image of seed being scattered and falling on different types of ground. This verse describes the "path" type of ground, where the seed (God's word) is immediately snatched away before it can take root. Immediately following this, Jesus will describe seed falling on rocky ground, then among thorns, and finally on good soil, illustrating various responses to hearing the word.
Some people hear the Word of God, but it's like it never even lands. What makes a heart like hardened ground?
Jesus describes the first type of hearer as being 'along the path.' Think of a well-trodden path in a field – it's hard, unyielding, and doesn't absorb anything.
Characteristics of the Path Hearer:
The moment the seed of God's Word hits a hardened heart, a thief is on the prowl. Why is timing so crucial for the enemy?
Jesus is clear: 'Satan immediately comes and takes away the word.' This isn't a passive loss; it's an active theft.
The Devil's Strategy:
Ask a follow-up
The seed is meant for the heart, but the 'path' hearers don't allow it to dwell there. What does it mean for the Word to be 'sown in them'?
While the text says Satan 'takes away the word that is sown in them,' the deeper meaning is that the word never truly entered the heart to begin with. It remained on the surface.
Understanding 'In Them':
Understand the original words
Satanas · Greek Noun
The adversary of God and humanity, acting as the tempter, deceiver, and accuser who actively works to oppose God's kingdom and prevent the reception of the gospel.
This passage from Luke parallels Mark's account, emphasizing that the devil 'takes away the word from their hearts' so they cannot believe and be saved, highlighting the immediate spiritual danger.
Matthew 13:19Matthew's version of the parable also describes this 'way side' hearer and notes that the evil one 'snatches away what was sown in his heart,' underscoring that the word never truly takes root.
1 Samuel 16:14This Old Testament passage shows an 'evil spirit from the Lord' troubling Saul, illustrating how spiritual opposition can directly affect a person's mind and receptivity, similar to how Satan acts in Mark 4:15.
Ephesians 6:11-12Paul speaks of standing against the schemes of the devil and wrestling 'against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,' which provides a broader spiritual warfare context for Satan's immediate action.
2 Corinthians 4:4This verse identifies Satan as the 'god of this age' who blinds the minds of unbelievers, explaining his motive and method in snatching away the word before it can illuminate someone's heart.
bengelMark 4:15: "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 . Ὅπου σπείρεται ὁ λόγος , where the word is sown ) This clause is rather to be connected with what follows.— εὐθέως , immediately ) Satan’s most favourite time for lying in wait.— ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις , in their hearts ) This means more than into their hearts .
gillMark 4:15: "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."
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown,.... Such hearers are represented by the way side, in which the seed fell; who, coming where the Gospel is preached, stop awhile and hear it, and so are only casual and accidental hearers of it: but when they have heard; and indeed whilst they are hearing, an…
The ancient Greek hints that "in their hearts" might be better understood as "into them," suggesting that the word doesn't truly lodge within the person, but is merely intercepted before it can take root. This highlights that Satan's work isn't about stealing deeply held beliefs, but about preventing the word from ever truly being received in the first place. It's a snatch-and-grab operation, happening so fast it's like a bird swooping down before the seed can be covered.
Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower, using the image of seed being scattered and falling on different types of ground. This verse describes the "path" type of ground, where the seed (God's word) is immediately snatched away before it can take root. Immediately following this, Jesus will describe seed falling on rocky ground, then among thorns, and finally on good soil, illustrating various responses to hearing the word.
Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower, using the image of seed being scattered and falling on different types of ground. This verse describes the "path" type of ground, where the seed (God's word) is immediately snatched away before it can take root. Immediately following this, Jesus will describe seed falling on rocky ground, then among thorns, and finally on good soil, illustrating various responses to hearing the word.
"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." — The ancient Greek hints that "in their hearts" might be better understood as "into them," suggesting that the word doesn't truly lodge within the person, but is merely intercepted before it can take…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026