Mark 4:19

19 but the worries of this age, the seduction ^[a] of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

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 But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When affliction or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble.

18 Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word,

19 but the worries of this age, the seduction of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20 But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times [what was sown]."

21 He also said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it to be put on a lampstand?

Footnotes

• [a]. Or pleasure, or deceitfulness