Mark 4:19

19 but the worries of 1the world, and the 2deceitfulness of riches, 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 and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.
18 "And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word,
19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20 "And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
21 And He was saying to them, "A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?

Cross References 2

  • 1. Matthew 13:22; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12
  • 2. Proverbs 23:4; 1 Tim 6:9, 10, 17

Footnotes 1

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