Devine Scripture

Mark 4:15

What does Mark 4:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:15 means

Jesus explained that the seed falling "by the way side" represents those who hear the Word of God but do not truly receive it. Immediately after hearing, Satan intervenes, snatching away the message before it can take root in their hearts. This illustrates a complete and swift loss of the Word, depicting hearts that are hardened and unresponsive, offering no ground for the truth to penetrate or flourish.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And these are they by the wayside, where the word is planted; and when they have given ear, the Evil One comes straight away and takes away the word which has been planted in them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and these are they by the way where the word is sown: and whenever they may hear, immediately cometh the Adversary, and he taketh away the word that hath been sown in their hearts.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and these are they by the wayside where the word is sown, and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Context

This verse explains the first type of ground in the Parable of the Sower during Jesus' private interpretation. It directly follows the identification of the "seed" as "the word." This explanation details how some hearers immediately lose the Word due to spiritual attack, contrasting with the subsequent types of hearers who, for different reasons, also fail to bear fruit or bear fruit abundantly.

v.14The sower soweth the word.

v.15This passage

v.16And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 2:1

    Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them.

  • Acts 26:31

    and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

  • Matthew 22:5

    But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;

  • Acts 17:32

    Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.

  • Revelation 20:10

    And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

  • Job 1:6

    Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them.

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