Luke 8:12

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Those {G1161} by {G3844} the way side {G3598} are {G1526} they that hear {G191}; then {G1534} cometh {G2064} the devil {G1228}, and {G2532} taketh away {G142} the word {G3056} out of {G575} their {G846} hearts {G2588}, lest {G3363} they should believe {G4100} and be saved {G4982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The ones along the path are those who hear, but then the Adversary comes and takes the message out of their hearts, in order to keep them from being saved by trusting it.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:12 serves as Jesus' authoritative interpretation of the "wayside" soil in the Parable of the Sower, illuminating the spiritual vulnerability of those who hear the divine message superficially. It starkly reveals the immediate, predatory intervention of the devil, who actively snatches away the word from their hearts, thereby preventing the crucial processes of belief and subsequent salvation from taking root and flourishing. This verse underscores the reality of spiritual warfare against the truth and the enemy's strategic aim to thwart God's redemptive purpose in human lives.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower, found in [Luke 8:4-15](/luke/8-4-15 "Luke 8:4-15 - The Parable of the Sower and Its Explanation"). Having presented the parable to a large crowd (Luke 8:4-8), Jesus' disciples privately inquire about its meaning (Luke 8:9). In response, Jesus grants them the privilege of understanding the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" (Luke 8:10), before systematically unpacking the symbolism of the seed, the sower, and the four types of soil. Luke 8:12 specifically addresses the first category of hearers, those represented by the "way side," providing the divine interpretation for why the word fails to produce fruit in their lives. This explanation is crucial for understanding the spiritual dynamics at play in receiving God's truth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the sower, seed, and various types of soil would have been immediately recognizable to Jesus' agrarian audience in first-century Galilee. Farmers would sow seed by hand, scattering it broadly before plowing, making it common for some seed to fall on hardened paths ("way side") bordering fields, where it would be trampled or eaten by birds. This agricultural reality serves as a powerful metaphor for the reception of the "word of God." Spiritually, the mention of "the devil" (G1228, _diábolos_) reflects the prevailing Jewish understanding of an active, malevolent spiritual entity opposing God and humanity, often identified with Satan. The concept of "hearts" (G2588, _kardía_) as the seat of intellect, emotion, and will was also deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern thought, signifying the core of a person's being where true belief must reside.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 8:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **sovereignty of God in sowing the word** while simultaneously emphasizing **human responsibility in receiving it**. The verse powerfully introduces the theme of **spiritual warfare**, revealing the direct and immediate opposition of the devil to the spread and reception of God's truth, a theme echoed in passages like [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces"). Furthermore, it underscores the **critical importance of genuine belief (faith)** for salvation, presenting salvation not merely as a future event but as a transformative experience initiated by the reception of the word. This aligns with the Gospel's emphasis on the transformative power of the [Kingdom of God](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Within You") and the necessity of a heartfelt response to Jesus' message. The ultimate goal of the word, "that they should believe and be saved," reinforces the Gospel's central message of redemption, as seen in [Acts 16:31](/acts/16-31 "Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From G1228, meaning "a traducer; specially, Satan." This term emphasizes the devil's primary characteristic as a slanderer, an accuser, and one who actively works against God's purposes. Here, he is portrayed not merely as a tempter but as an active agent of destruction, specifically targeting the "word" to prevent spiritual growth.
* **Taketh away (Greek, _aírō'_):** From G142, meaning "to lift up; by implication, to take up or away." This verb suggests a forceful, decisive, and complete removal. It is not a gentle persuasion but an act of snatching or seizing, indicating the devil's aggressive and immediate intervention to prevent the word from settling in the heart.
* **Word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, meaning "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)." In this context, _lógos_ refers to the divine message, the Gospel, or the teaching of Christ concerning the Kingdom of God. It is the spiritual seed that has the power to bring forth life and salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those by the way side are they that hear":** This clause identifies the first group of hearers. "By the way side" refers to the hard, trodden path where seed cannot penetrate. Spiritually, it signifies individuals whose hearts are hardened or unreceptive, allowing the word to merely rest on the surface of their understanding without truly internalizing it. They hear with their ears but do not truly receive with their hearts.
* **"then cometh the devil":** This phrase introduces the active antagonist. The adverb "then" (G1534, _eîta_) indicates an immediate sequence, highlighting the swiftness of the devil's intervention. As soon as the word is heard, the enemy is present, ready to act. This underscores the urgency and directness of spiritual opposition.
* **"and taketh away the word out of their hearts":** This is the devil's specific action. He "taketh away" (G142, _aírō_) the "word" (G3056, _lógos_) from the very core of their being—their "hearts" (G2588, _kardía_). This act of removal prevents the word from taking root, germinating, or transforming the individual from within. It signifies a spiritual theft, depriving the hearer of the life-giving truth.
* **"lest they should believe and be saved":** This final clause reveals the devil's ultimate motive and the divine purpose he seeks to thwart. The phrase "lest they should" (G3363, _hína mḗ_) denotes purpose or negative result. The devil's goal is to prevent the hearers from exercising "belief" (G4100, _pisteúō_), which is active trust and reliance on the word, and consequently, to prevent them from being "saved" (G4982, _sṓzō_), which encompasses spiritual deliverance, healing, and wholeness in Christ. This highlights the profound spiritual stakes involved.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 8:12, as part of Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower, primarily functions as an **Allegorical Interpretation**. The entire parable is an extended **metaphor** where elements like the sower, seed, and soil types represent spiritual realities. Within this specific verse, the "way side" is a **symbol** for a hardened or unreceptive heart. The "word" is **symbolic** of the Gospel message. Most notably, the "devil" is **personified** not just as an abstract evil force, but as an active, cunning agent who "cometh" and "taketh away," demonstrating agency and malicious intent. This personification makes the spiritual threat tangible and immediate, emphasizing the reality of spiritual warfare against the truth. The contrast between hearing and truly receiving, and the devil's swift action to prevent belief and salvation, also creates a subtle **antithesis**, highlighting the opposing forces at work in the spiritual realm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:12 profoundly articulates the spiritual battle for the human heart, revealing that the reception of God's word is not a passive event but a contested arena. It underscores the reality of an active, malevolent spiritual adversary who strategically targets the nascent stages of faith to prevent salvation. This theological insight emphasizes the preciousness and vulnerability of the initial encounter with the Gospel, highlighting the need for vigilance, spiritual discernment, and a prepared heart. The verse also implicitly teaches the divine origin and power of the "word," as it is the very instrument God uses to bring about belief and salvation, and thus, the primary target of the enemy.

* [Matthew 13:19](/matthew/13-19 "Matthew 13:19 - Explanation of the Wayside Soil")
* [Mark 4:15](/mark/4-15 "Mark 4:15 - Explanation of the Wayside Soil")
* [2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4 - Satan Blinds Unbelievers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:12 serves as a sobering reminder that merely hearing the word of God is insufficient for spiritual transformation. It challenges us to examine the condition of our own hearts, asking whether we are truly receptive ground or a hardened "way side" where the seeds of truth cannot penetrate. This verse calls believers to a posture of active engagement with Scripture, cultivating a heart that is soft, open, and eager to receive, meditate upon, and obey God's word. It also heightens our awareness of the spiritual warfare that surrounds the proclamation of the Gospel. We must recognize the devil's immediate and strategic efforts to steal the word, not only from new hearers but also from our own hearts, through distractions, doubts, and deceptions. This awareness should compel us to pray fervently for those who hear the Gospel, that their hearts would be protected and prepared, and for ourselves, that we would guard the precious seed of truth within us, allowing it to grow and bear fruit for God's glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own heart be like the "way side" soil, allowing the word to be snatched away before it can take root?**
* **How can I actively prepare my heart to better receive and retain God's word, moving beyond mere superficial hearing?**
* **What specific "schemes of the devil" (as mentioned in [Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - The Armor of God")) might be at work to prevent belief and salvation in those I share the Gospel with, or even in my own life?**
* **How does understanding the devil's immediate action in this verse impact my prayer life for myself and for others who are hearing the Gospel?**

### FAQ

**What does "by the way side" mean in this parable?**

Answer: In the context of the Parable of the Sower, "by the way side" refers to the hardened, well-trodden paths that ran alongside or through agricultural fields. When seed fell on such ground, it could not penetrate the soil; it remained exposed on the surface, making it easily accessible to birds or to be trampled underfoot. Spiritually, Jesus explains in [Luke 8:12](/luke/8-12 "Luke 8:12 - The Wayside Hearers") that "those by the way side are they that hear" the word, but their hearts are unreceptive or hardened, preventing the message from taking root. It signifies a superficial hearing without genuine reception or understanding.

**How does the devil "take away the word"?**

Answer: The devil "takes away the word" (G142, _aírō_) by actively intervening to prevent the message of the Gospel from settling and growing in a person's heart. This can manifest in various ways: by immediately introducing doubts, distractions, or misunderstandings that cause the hearer to dismiss the truth; by fostering a sense of apathy or indifference; or by presenting alternative narratives that obscure the clarity and power of God's word. The goal, as stated in [Luke 8:12](/luke/8-12 "Luke 8:12 - The Devil's Action"), is "lest they should believe and be saved," indicating that the devil's action is a direct spiritual assault aimed at preventing faith and salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:12, while describing the tragic loss of the word due to the devil's intervention, implicitly points to Christ as the ultimate Word and the one who overcomes the devil's schemes. Jesus himself is the "Word" (G3056, _lógos_) made flesh, as declared in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the very truth that the devil seeks to snatch away. The devil's attempt to prevent belief and salvation is a direct assault on God's redemptive plan, a plan centered entirely on Christ. Jesus, through his life, death, and resurrection, disarmed the powers of darkness and triumphed over the devil, as [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities") proclaims. He is the Good Shepherd who protects His sheep from the "thief" who comes "only to steal and kill and destroy" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Good Shepherd")), offering abundant life instead. Thus, while the verse warns of the enemy's destructive power, it ultimately magnifies Christ as the one who delivers from the devil's grasp, enabling those who truly hear and believe to be saved and to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, a fruit that the devil cannot snatch away from the hands of the Father ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28-29 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Thessalonians 2:9

[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Thessalonians 2:14

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

James 1:23

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

James 1:24

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Matthew 13:19

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.