4:15a

Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown: The Greek text here is literally “these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown” (as in the Revised Standard Version).

The words “these are the ones” (Revised Standard Version) introduce the first group of people. These people are compared to the path along which the sower has sown the word/seed. Jesus described what happens when such people hear the word.

Here are some other ways to translate this comparison:

Sometimes the word/teaching falls along the path. This is like what happens when some people…
-or-
These/Some people are like the path along which the word is sown/scattered.

along the path: Translate this phrase as you did in 4:4b.

is sown: The verb is sown is passive. In the parable, the farmer sowed the seed. This event represents someone telling the gospel.

If it is more natural in your language to say who sowed, you may want to use “someone.” For example:

someone sowed/told the word

If possible keep the focus on the word.

4:15b–c

As soon as they hear it, Satan comes: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as As soon as they hear it, Satan comes is literally “when they hear, Satan immediately comes” (as in the New Revised Standard Version). The God’s Word has another way to translate this:

Whenever they hear the word, Satan comes at once

If you have included the information that these people hear the word in 4:15a, it may be natural to translate this as:

as soon as that happens
-or-
immediately after that

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the chief or leader of all the evil spirits. In Hebrew his name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people. See how you translated this name in 3:23–26. Here are some ways to translate Satan:

• Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.

• Use a descriptive phrase such as:

the chief/leader of the evil spirits
-or-
the spirit enemy of God

• Transliterate the name Satan. If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:

Satanas, the ruler of demons
-or-
Shaitan

If you transliterate Satan or borrow a word from another language, be sure that it communicates the biblical meaning to people in your culture. It is important to check this in each biblical context.

Try to use a term that will be acceptable to churches in the area. It is suggested that you also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who Satan is. For example:

Satan is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God expelled him from heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Here are other names for Satan that are used in the Bible: “Beelzebul,” “the Devil,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

See how you translated this word in 1:13a.

takes away the word that was sown in them:

There is a minor textual issue here: (1) Some Greek manuscripts have
in/into them. For example, the Contemporary English Version says: “Satan comes and snatches the word that was sown in them” (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version). (2) Other Greek manuscripts have in their hearts. For example, the King James Version says: “taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts” (King James Version). You should follow option (1) since it has the best manuscript support.) Again, this clause mixes the explanation with the metaphor. The phrase the word is part of the explanation. The phrase was sown in them is a metaphor. It may be more natural in your language to explain the metaphor here. For example:

takes away what has been sown in their minds (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
removes the word of God that they heard

takes away the word: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as takes away can also be translated as “removes.” Satan takes away the seed/word in the sense that he makes the person “forget” what they have heard. In some languages it may be natural to translate it in a non-figurative way. For example:

causes them to forget God’s message

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