Discovery BoxMark 4:14-19 
Context4:14 The sower sows the word. 4:15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan 1 comes and snatches the word 2 that was sown in them. 4:16 These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy. 4:17 But 3 they have no root in themselves and do not endure. 4 Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away. 4:18 Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word, 4:19 but 5 worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth, 6 and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, 7 and it produces nothing.
1 sn Interestingly, the synoptic parallels each use a different word for Satan here: Matt 13:19 has “the evil one,” while Luke 8:12 has “the devil.” This illustrates the fluidity of the gospel tradition in often using synonyms at the same point of the parallel tradition.
2 sn The word of Jesus has the potential to save if it germinates in a person’s heart, something the devil is very much against.
3 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
4 tn Grk “are temporary.”
5 tn Grk “and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
6 tn Grk “the deceitfulness of riches.” Cf. BDAG 99 s.v. ἀπάτη 1, “the seduction which comes from wealth.”
7 sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.
