Luke 8:12

12 and they that be beside the way, be these that hear; and afterward the fiend cometh, and taketh away the word from their heart, lest they believing be made safe. [+soothly those that be beside the way, be these that hear; afterward the fiend cometh, and taketh away the word of their heart, lest they believing be made safe.]

Luke 8:12 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 8:12

Those by the wayside are they that hear
The word of God, though only by accident, and very carelessly, and without understanding what they hear:

then cometh the devil;
signified by the fowls of the air:

and taketh away the word out of their hearts,
or memories; that little of it, which is retained there, and diverts their minds from it by other objects; so that they quite forget what they have heard;

lest they should believe, and be saved:
this clause is only in Luke; and with it may be compared ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ) for with true faith in Christ the sum and substance of the word salvation is connected; and Satan being an enemy to the salvation of souls, does all he can to hinder their faith in him.

Luke 8:12 In-Context

10 And he said to them, To you it is granted to know the private of the kingdom of God [To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God]; but to other men in parables, that they seeing see not, and they hearing understand not.

11 And this is the parable. The seed is God's word;

12 and they that be beside the way, be these that hear; and afterward the fiend cometh, and taketh away the word from their heart, lest they believing be made safe. [+soothly those that be beside the way, be these that hear; afterward the fiend cometh, and taketh away the word of their heart, lest they believing be made safe.]

13 But they that fell on a stone, be these that when they have heard [be these men which when they have heard], receive the word with joy. And these have no roots [And these have not root]; for at a time they believe, and in time of temptation they go away.

14 But that that fell among thorns, be these that heard, and of busynesses, and riches, and lusts of life [and volupties of life] they go forth, and be strangled, and bring forth no fruit.