Mark 4:16

16 And these are like the ones sown on the rocky ground, who whenever they hear the word immediately receive it with joy.

Mark 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:16

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground,
&c.] Such sort of hearers of the word are signified by the stony ground, on which the seed were sown, who are constant hearers of the word, and have some understanding of it, and some sort of affection for it, and yet their hearts are not truly broken by it; they are not brought to a thorough sight and sense of sin, and of their need of Christ, and salvation by him; their stony hearts are not taken away, and hearts of flesh given them:

who when they have heard the word immediately receive it with
gladness;
seem highly pleased, and greatly delighted with it, as being a well connected scheme things; and which declares things, as heaven and eternal happiness, which they, from a principle of self love, are desirous of enjoying.

Mark 4:16 In-Context

14 The sower sows the word.

15 And these are the ones beside the path where the word is sown, and whenever they hear [it], immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

16 And these are like the ones sown on the rocky ground, who whenever they hear the word immediately receive it with joy.

17 And they have no root in themselves, but are temporary. Then [when] affliction or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

18 And others are the ones sown among the thorn plants--these are the ones who hear the word,

Footnotes

• [a]. Some manuscripts omit "like"