Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 4:15

"And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them." — Mark 4:15 (ASV)

The seeds sown on the hard-beaten path indicate those who have a shallow reception of the word. Satan snatches it from them before it has had an opportunity to take root.

The seeds sown on rocky places picture another hindrance to proper reception of the word: persecution and trials. This word of Jesus must have been particularly relevant to the Roman church and probably sounded a warning to any who, because of persecution and trials, may have been thinking of defecting from the faith; such people have no root in themselves.

The third group of hearers seem to make good progress, but the word is choked out by daily worries that distract them, by wealth that gives a false sense of security, and by anything else that might prevent the sown word from being productive.

Some seed does fall on good soil and is productive. Such people are open and receptive to the word of the kingdom. The message gets through to them and issues forth in a productive life. The parable therefore emphasizes our responsibility to listen to and obey Christ’s message to us.