Matthew 13:19
New International Version
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

New Living Translation
The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.

English Standard Version
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

Berean Standard Bible
When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

Berean Literal Bible
Everyone hearing the word of the kingdom and not understanding, the evil one comes and snatches away that having been sown in his heart. This is the one having been sown on the path.

King James Bible
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

New King James Version
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

New American Standard Bible
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road.

NASB 1995
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

NASB 1977
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

Legacy Standard Bible
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

Amplified Bible
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom [regarding salvation] and does not understand and grasp it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

Christian Standard Bible
When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.

American Standard Version
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side.

Contemporary English Version
The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message about the kingdom, but don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the message from their hearts.

English Revised Version
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Someone hears the word about the kingdom but doesn't understand it. The evil one comes at once and snatches away what was planted in him. This is what the seed planted along the road illustrates.

Good News Translation
Those who hear the message about the Kingdom but do not understand it are like the seeds that fell along the path. The Evil One comes and snatches away what was sown in them.

International Standard Version
When anyone hears the word about the kingdom yet doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

Majority Standard Bible
When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

NET Bible
When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches what was sown in his heart; this is the seed sown along the path.

New Heart English Bible
When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.

Webster's Bible Translation
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the way side.

Weymouth New Testament
When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by the road-side.

World English Bible
When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Everyone hearing the word of the kingdom, and not understanding—the evil one comes, and snatches that which has been sown in his heart; this is that sown by the way.

Berean Literal Bible
Everyone hearing the word of the kingdom and not understanding, the evil one comes and snatches away that having been sown in his heart. This is the one having been sown on the path.

Young's Literal Translation
Every one hearing the word of the reign, and not understanding -- the evil one doth come, and doth catch that which hath been sown in his heart; this is that sown by the way.

Smith's Literal Translation
Every one hearing, and not understanding, the evil one comes, and carries off that sown in his heart. This is he having sown by the way.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side.

Catholic Public Domain Version
With anyone who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, evil comes and carries away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received the seed by the side of the road.

New American Bible
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.

New Revised Standard Version
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Whoever hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away the word which has been sown in his heart. This is that which was sown on the roadside.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Everyone who hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand, The Evil One comes into him and snatches the word that was sown in his heart; this is that which was sown upon the roadside.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, the wicked one comes and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he that received seed by the way side.

Godbey New Testament
Every one hearing the word of the kingdom, and not understanding it, the wicked one comes, and seizes away that which is sown in his heart: he is the one sown by the wayside.

Haweis New Testament
When any person heareth the word of the kingdom, and doth not understand it, the wicked one cometh, and snatcheth away what was sown on his heart: such is he who is the sown by the road-side.

Mace New Testament
when any one heareth the doctrine of the gospel, and considers it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away what was sown in his heart: he is the person meant by the high-way, where some of the seed was sown: but the stony ground,

Weymouth New Testament
When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by the road-side.

Worrell New Testament
When any one hears the word of the Kingdom, and understands it not, the evil one comes, and snatches away what has been sown in his heart: this is he that was sown by the wayside.

Worsley New Testament
and regardeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and snatcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he who received the seed as by the way-side.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.…

Cross References
Mark 4:15
Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Luke 8:12
The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

John 12:31
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 John 2:13-14
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. / I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Genesis 3:1-4
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Jeremiah 4:3-4
For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns. / Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”

Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.

Zechariah 7:11-12
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.


Treasury of Scripture

When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

the word.

Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Luke 9:2
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

and understandeth.

Proverbs 1:7,20-22
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction…

Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; …

Proverbs 17:16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

the wicked.

Matthew 13:38
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Mark 4:15
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Luke 8:12
Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

This.

Matthew 13:4
And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Jump to Previous
Catches Catcheth Clear Dropped Evil Heareth Hears Heart Kingdom Message Path Quickly Received Road Roadside Seed Sense Side Snatches Snatcheth Sown Understand Understandeth Way Wayside Wicked Word
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Catches Catcheth Clear Dropped Evil Heareth Hears Heart Kingdom Message Path Quickly Received Road Roadside Seed Sense Side Snatches Snatcheth Sown Understand Understandeth Way Wayside Wicked Word
Matthew 13
1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.














When anyone hears the message of the kingdom
The "message of the kingdom" refers to the teachings of Jesus about the Kingdom of God, which is a central theme in His ministry. This message includes the call to repentance, the promise of salvation, and the invitation to enter into a new covenant relationship with God. The Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope, as seen in Jesus' teachings and parables. In the context of Matthew 13, Jesus uses parables to reveal truths about the kingdom to those who are willing to listen and understand.

but does not understand it
Understanding here implies more than intellectual comprehension; it involves spiritual insight and acceptance. The lack of understanding can be attributed to a hardened heart or spiritual blindness, which prevents the message from taking root. This concept is echoed in Isaiah 6:9-10, where the prophet speaks of people who hear but do not understand, a passage Jesus references in Matthew 13:14-15 to explain why He speaks in parables.

the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart
The "evil one" is a reference to Satan, who actively works to prevent the Word of God from taking root in people's hearts. This imagery of snatching away seeds reflects the spiritual battle that occurs when the gospel is preached. In 1 Peter 5:8, Satan is described as a prowling lion seeking to devour, highlighting his role in opposing God's work. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions, and is the place where the Word must take root for true transformation.

This is the seed sown along the path
The "seed sown along the path" represents those who hear the Word but are unresponsive due to a hardened heart. The path is a metaphor for a heart that is trampled and compacted, unable to receive the seed. In the agricultural context of first-century Palestine, paths were common in fields, and seeds falling on them would be quickly eaten by birds or trampled underfoot. This illustrates the vulnerability of the Word when it is not protected by understanding and faith. The parable of the sower, in which this verse is found, serves as a warning and an encouragement to cultivate a receptive heart for the Word of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of the parable, teaching about the kingdom of heaven through parables to convey spiritual truths.

2. The Evil One
Refers to Satan, who actively works to prevent the Word of God from taking root in people's hearts.

3. The Sower
Represents anyone who shares the message of the kingdom, primarily Jesus and His disciples.

4. The Path
Symbolizes the hearts of those who hear the Word but do not understand it, making them vulnerable to the evil one.

5. The Message of the Kingdom
The gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the good news of salvation and the coming of God's kingdom.
Teaching Points
Understanding the Word
It is crucial to seek understanding when hearing the Word of God. Without understanding, the message is vulnerable to being snatched away.

Spiritual Warfare
Recognize that there is a spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of people. Prayer and vigilance are necessary to protect the seed of the Word.

The Role of the Heart
The condition of one's heart determines how the Word is received. A hardened heart is like the path where the seed cannot penetrate.

Active Engagement
Engage actively with the Word through study, meditation, and application to ensure it takes root and bears fruit.

Community and Discipleship
Being part of a community of believers can help in understanding and applying the Word, providing support and accountability.(19) When any one heareth the word.--The explanation has become so familiar to us that it is hard to place ourselves in the position of those to whom it was the unveiling of new truths--the holding up a mirror in which they might see, it might be, their own likeness. Our interest in it may, perhaps, be quickened if we think of it as reflecting what had actually been our Lord's experience. The classes of hearers who had gathered round Him were represented, roughly and generally, by the four issues of the seed scattered by the sower, and all preachers of the truth, from that day to this, have felt that their own experience has presented analogous phenomena.

The ethical sequence described runs thus: The man hears "the word of the kingdom," a discourse, say, like the Sermon on the Mount, or that at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21). He does not "understand" it (the fault being moral rather than intellectual), does not attend to it or "take it in." The "wicked one" (note the connection with the clause in the Lord's Prayer, "Deliver us from evil," or the evil one) snatches it away even from his memory. At first it seems strange that "the birds of the air" in their multitude should represent the Tempter in his unity; and yet there is a terrible truth in the fact that everything which leads men to forget the truth is, in very deed, doing the work of the great enemy. On the other hand, the birds, in their rapid flight and their gathering flocks, may well represent the light and foolish thoughts that are as the Tempter's instruments. The "way-side" thus answers to the character, which is hardened by the wear and tear of daily life, what we well call its routine, so that the words of Truth make hardly even the most transient impression on it.

This is he which received seed.--Our translators try, unsuccessfully, to combine the parable with its interpretation. Literally, and far better, here and in the following verses, this man it is that is (the seed) sown by the way side.

Verse 19. - When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not. Understandeth. The form of the explanation here is influenced by the language of vers. 14, 15. Then (not in the Greek) cometh the wicked one; the evil one (Revised Version); Matthew 6:13, note. And catcheth (snatcheth, Revised Version) away - seizeth for himself (ἁρπάζει, Matthew 11:12, note) - that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed. That was sown (Revised Version, ὁ σπαρείς). And so throughout. The masculine is not merely concise, but also expresses the fact that, as even with land, the man who receives the seed does not put forth in turn merely the seed as something alien, but rather himself so far as he is influenced by the seed; or (regarding the subject from another point of view) he puts forth the new life and energy of the seed as conditioned by that which makes up himself.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When anyone
Παντὸς (Pantos)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

hears
ἀκούοντος (akouontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

message
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλείας (basileias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

{does} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

understand [it],
συνιέντος (synientos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

evil one
πονηρὸς (ponēros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

comes
ἔρχεται (erchetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

snatches away
ἁρπάζει (harpazei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 726: To seize, snatch, obtain by robbery. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize.

what
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

was sown
ἐσπαρμένον (esparmenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

heart.
καρδίᾳ (kardia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

This
οὗτός (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the [seed]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sown
σπαρείς (spareis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

along
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

path.
ὁδὸν (hodon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word (Matt. Mat Mt)
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