Verse 19. When any one heareth, etc. The seed represents the word of God communicated in any manner to the minds of men, by the Scriptures, by preaching, by acts of providence, or by the direct influence of the Holy Spirit.

Then cometh the wicked one. That is, Satan, Mr 4:15 or the devil Lu 8:12 the one eminently wicked, the accuser, the tempter. He is represented by the fowls that came and picked up the seed by the way-side. The gospel is preached to men hardened in sin. It makes no impression. It lies like seed in the hard path; it is easily taken away, and never suffered to take root.

{i} |word of the kingdom| Mt 4:23 {k} |wicked one| 1 Jo 2:13,14; 3:12