Mark 4:19

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And {G2532} the cares {G3308} of this {G5127} world {G165}, and {G2532} the deceitfulness {G539} of riches {G4149}, and {G2532} the lusts {G1939} of {G4012} other things {G3062} entering in {G1531}, choke {G4846} the word {G3056}, and {G2532} it becometh {G1096} unfruitful {G175}.

but the worries of the world, the deceitful glamor of wealth and all the other kinds of desires push in and choke the message; so that it produces nothing.

but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Mark 4:19 is part of Jesus's explanation of the Parable of the Sower, specifically detailing the third type of soil: the thorny ground. This verse warns against common obstacles that prevent the Word of God from taking root and bearing spiritual fruit in a person's life.

Context

In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20), Jesus describes how a sower scatters seed, which falls on different types of ground. The seed represents the Word of God, and the soils represent different human hearts or responses to that Word. Verse 19 explains the fate of the seed that falls "among thorns" (Mark 4:7), which initially sprouts but is ultimately overwhelmed by competing elements. This teaching highlights the importance of a receptive and clear heart for spiritual growth.

Key Themes

  • Obstacles to Spiritual Growth: The verse clearly identifies three primary hindrances to the Word of God flourishing:
    • "The cares of this world": Everyday anxieties, worries, and distractions about life's necessities or challenges. These can consume mental and emotional energy, diverting focus from spiritual matters.
    • "The deceitfulness of riches": The deceptive promise that wealth brings security, happiness, or fulfillment. This lure can lead to a pursuit of material gain that displaces devotion to God, as seen in the rich young ruler (Mark 10:23).
    • "The lusts of other things": A broader category encompassing desires for anything that competes with God's will—pleasure, power, status, or any idol that draws the heart away.
  • Spiritual Unfruitfulness: These competing desires "choke the word," meaning they stifle its growth and prevent it from producing the expected spiritual fruit, such as righteousness, obedience, and character transformation. The result is a life that "becometh unfruitful."
  • The Battle for the Heart: The verse underscores that the human heart is a battleground where the Word of God contends with worldly desires. For the Word to thrive, these "thorns" must be recognized and dealt with.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "choke" is sympnigo (συμπνίγω), which literally means "to choke completely," "to stifle," or "to crowd out." It paints a vivid picture of the thorns growing up and suffocating the good plant, preventing it from getting light, water, or nutrients. This isn't just a minor hindrance but a fatal obstruction. The term "unfruitful" is akarpos (ἄκαρπος), meaning "barren" or "without fruit," emphasizing the complete lack of spiritual produce despite initial receptivity.

Practical Application

Mark 4:19 serves as a profound warning and a call to self-examination for believers today. To avoid spiritual unfruitfulness:

  • Examine Your Priorities: Regularly assess what truly occupies your thoughts, time, and resources. Are the "cares of this world" or the pursuit of wealth taking precedence over seeking God's kingdom and righteousness?
  • Guard Your Heart: Be vigilant against the subtle allure of materialism and worldly desires. Recognize that they are "deceitful" and promise satisfaction they cannot deliver.
  • Cultivate a Receptive Soil: Actively engage with God's Word, allowing it to penetrate deeply into your life. This may involve regularly pruning away the "thorns" of distraction and misplaced affections. Just as a gardener tends a plot, so must we tend our spiritual lives to ensure the Word can grow and bear abundant fruit for God's glory, as Jesus teaches in John 15:5.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 John 2:15

    Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  • 1 John 2:17

    And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

  • Philippians 4:6

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Matthew 19:23

    ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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