Luke 8:12

Those by the way side These are hearers who are hardenedeither beaten (i) flat by lifeless familiarity heartless formalists, Pharisaic theologians, and insincere professors; or (ii) by perversity and indifference, the habit and custom of a worldly and dissolute life. Notice the intensity of thought which identifies the scattered seeds with those in whose hearts they are sown. "The way is the heart beaten and dried by the passage of evil thoughts." H. de S. Victore.

the devil The Accuser or Slanderer. St Mark has "the wicked one," St Matthew "Satan." taketh away "Snatches," Matthew 13:19. It is done in a moment; by a smile at the end of the sermon; by a silly criticism at the Church door; by foolish gossip on the way home. These are "the fowls of the air" whom the Evil One uses in this task.

lest they should believe Rather, that they may not believe. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip," or rather "drift awayfrom them," Hebrews 2:1.