Mark 4:17

17 Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away.

Mark 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:17

And have no root in themselves
The word has no root in their hearts, only in their natural affections: nor is the root of grace in them; there is no heart work, only speculative notions, and flashy affections:

and so endure but for a time:
they continue hearers and professors of the Gospel but for a small season; like the Jews, who rejoiced in the ministry of John the Baptist for a while, and then left him:

afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's
sake, immediately they are offended.
As soon as any small degree of trouble comes upon them, and especially when there is a hot persecution of the professors of religion, because of the Gospel they have embraced; such hearers are stumbled at these things, and cannot bear the loss of any thing, or endure any thing severe for the sake of the word they have professed a pleasure in; and therefore, rather than suffer, they relinquish at once their profession of it.

Mark 4:17 In-Context

15 This is the meaning of the seed that fell on the path: When the word is scattered and people hear it, right away Satan comes and steals the word that was planted in them.

16 Here's the meaning of the seed that fell on rocky ground: When people hear the word, they immediately receive it joyfully.

17 Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away.

18 Others are like the seed scattered among the thorny plants. These are the ones who have heard the word;

19 but the worries of this life, the false appeal of wealth, and the desire for more things break in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.