Mark 4:4

4 and it came to pass, in the sowing, some fell by the way, and the fowls of the heaven did come and devour it;

Mark 4:4 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:4

And it came to pass, as he sowed
Whilst he was preaching the, Gospel, casting about the precious seed of the word, he was laden with:

some fell by the way side;
the common beaten path: the word was dispensed among some men comparable to it, on whom it lighted, but made no impression; there it lay, though not long, and was not inwardly received, and took no root, and consequently was of no effect:

and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up;
the devils, who have their abode in the air, especially the prince of the posse of them; and the Syriac version reads it in the singular number, "and the fowl came"; that ravenous bird of prey, Satan, who goes about seeking what he may devour; and for this purpose attends where the word is preached, to hinder its usefulness as much as in him lies.

Mark 4:4 In-Context

2 and he taught them many things in similes, and he said to them in his teaching:

3 `Hearken, lo, the sower went forth to sow;

4 and it came to pass, in the sowing, some fell by the way, and the fowls of the heaven did come and devour it;

5 and other fell upon the rocky ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprang forth, because of not having depth of earth,

6 and the sun having risen, it was scorched, and because of not having root it did wither;