Mark 4:4

4 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up.

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 Then He proceeded to teach them many lessons in figurative language; and in His teaching He said,

3 "Listen: the sower goes out to sow.

4 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up.

5 Some falls on the rocky ground where it finds but little earth, and it shoots up quickly because it has no depth of soil;

6 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched, and through having no root it withers away.