Mark 4:19

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.

Mark 4:19 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:19

And the cares of this world
The perplexing and distressing cares of it to get as much of it as they can, for themselves and families, fill their minds, and possess their souls even when and while they are hearing the word: and the deceitfulness of riches; or riches which are deceitful, especially when trusted in, and being obtained, they do not give the satisfaction they promise: and the lusts of other things entering in: carnal desires after other objects, which are pleasing to the sensual mind, entering into their hearts, and gaining, the ascendant there: choke the word, and it, becometh unfruitful; these being more attended to than the word is, that is quite lost, and becomes useless, and unprofitable.

Mark 4:19 In-Context

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.

20 The seed scattered on good soil are those who hear the word and embrace it. They bear fruit, in one case a yield of thirty to one, in another case sixty to one, and in another case one hundred to one."

21 Jesus said to them, "Does anyone bring in a lamp in order to put it under a basket or a bed? Shouldn't it be placed on a lampstand?