The term "way-side" refers to the area alongside a road or path, often used in biblical contexts to describe a place where seeds are sown but do not take root. This imagery is most prominently featured in the Parable of the Sower, as recounted in the Synoptic Gospels. The way-side serves as a metaphor for those who hear the word of God but do not understand or retain it, allowing the enemy to snatch it away.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 13:4, 19 : In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes the way-side as the ground where some seeds fall but are quickly eaten by birds. "As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it." Jesus later explains, "When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path."

2. Mark 4:4, 15 : Mark's account similarly describes the way-side: "As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it." Jesus interprets this as, "Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them."

3. Luke 8:5, 12 : Luke also recounts this parable, emphasizing the immediate loss of the word: "As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path and was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it." Jesus explains, "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."

Theological Significance:

The way-side represents a heart that is unprepared or unwilling to receive the word of God. It highlights the spiritual battle that takes place when the gospel is proclaimed. The imagery of birds, often interpreted as demonic forces, underscores the active opposition to the word taking root in a person's life. This serves as a warning to believers to cultivate a receptive heart, ready to understand and apply God's word.

Practical Application:

For Christians, the way-side serves as a reminder to be vigilant in their spiritual walk. It calls for self-examination to ensure that one's heart is not hardened or distracted by worldly concerns. Believers are encouraged to engage with Scripture deeply, seeking understanding and allowing the Holy Spirit to guard the word sown in their hearts. This involves regular prayer, study, and fellowship with other believers to strengthen one's faith and resist the enemy's attempts to snatch away the truth.

Cultural Context:

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the imagery of sowing seeds would have been familiar to Jesus' audience. Paths or waysides were common in fields, where foot traffic would compact the soil, making it difficult for seeds to penetrate and grow. This cultural understanding enhances the parable's impact, illustrating the ease with which the word can be lost if not properly received.

The way-side, as depicted in the Parable of the Sower, remains a powerful illustration of the challenges faced in spreading and receiving the gospel. It calls for a proactive approach to faith, ensuring that the word of God is not only heard but also understood and cherished.3197. yak -- wayside
... Word Origin scribal error for yad, qv Yekoneyah Definition see NH3204. wayside By
erroneous transcription for yad; a hand or side -- (way-)side. see HEBREW yad. ...
/hebrew/3197.htm - 5k

4570. magal -- an entrenchment, track
... going, path, trench, wayside. ... from the same as agol; a track (literally or figuratively);
also a rampart (as circular) -- going, path, trench, way((-side)). ...
/hebrew/4570.htm - 6k

1870. derek -- way, road, distance, journey, manner
... in the direction (1), way toward (1), ways (150), wayside (2), wherever ... journey,
manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever ...
/hebrew/1870.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... terror, X thee, X by them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing, +
thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side, where, + wide, X ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

The Wayside Feast
... The Wayside Feast. SB Psalm 23:5. Bread that camest down from Heaven,. Fruit of
the eternal tree; Banquet which my God has given. Even unto me; ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/the wayside feast.htm

By the Wayside
... Chapter V BY THE WAYSIDE. By sunset, the Maccabee and Julian of Ephesus
had taken the road to Jerusalem again. As they reached the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter v by the wayside.htm

By the Wayside.
... By the Wayside. I went down past the corner of Clark and Lake streets one
day, and, fulfilling my vow, on seeing a man leaning up ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/by the wayside.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... xx. 30, about the two blind men sitting by the way side, and crying out, "Lord,
have mercy on us, Thou Son of David.". [LXXXVIII. Ben.] ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 19, Etc. , Where the Lord ...
... Yesterday we read of that sower, who when he scattered seed, "some fell by the way
side," [2507] which the birds picked up; "some in stony places," which dried ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxiii on the words.htm

On the Same Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way," Etc.
... I am the Truth.' Where wouldest thou abide? I am the Life.'" Let us then walk with
all assurance in the Way; but let us fear snares by the way side. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xcii on the same.htm

The Good Samaritan
... enough now. But I would take the scene of this parable in a wider sense;
I would ask you to look at it as the wayside of life. The ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlviii the good samaritan.htm

Sowing the Seed.
... A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed some fell by the wayside and was
trodden down, and birds came and devoured it. ... Is it like the wayside? ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/sowing the seed.htm

Cii. Bartim??us and his Companion Healed.
... c 35 And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat
by the way side begging: 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cii bartimaeus and his companion.htm

The First Great Group of Parables.
... This is he that was sown by the way side. [The four soils are four hearts into which
truth is sown. The first heart, represented by the wayside, is one which ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/liv the first great group 2.htm

Wayside (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The side of the way; the edge or border of a road or path. 2. (a.) of or
pertaining to the wayside; as, wayside flowers. ...Wayside (16 Occurrences). ...
/w/wayside.htm - 11k

Way-side (10 Occurrences)
Way-side. Wayside, Way-side. Waysides . Multi-Version Concordance Way-side
(10 Occurrences). ... Selah. (DBY). Wayside, Way-side. Waysides . Reference Bible
/w/way-side.htm - 9k

Dropped (52 Occurrences)
... Dropped (52 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 And while he did so, some seeds were dropped
by the wayside, and the birds came and took them for food: (BBE). ...
/d/dropped.htm - 22k

Fowls (61 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside,
and the fowls came and devoured them up: (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/f/fowls.htm - 25k

Falls (79 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 13:4 As he sows, some of the seed falls
by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY). ...
/f/falls.htm - 28k

Peck (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Peck (3 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sows, some of
the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY). ...
/p/peck.htm - 8k

Sows (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sows (18 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sows, some of
the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY). ...
/s/sows.htm - 11k

Taketh (398 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:15 And these are they by the wayside, where the word is sown; but when they
have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was ...
/t/taketh.htm - 35k

Carries (27 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:15 Those who receive the seed by the way-side are those in whom the Message
is sown, but, when they have heard it, Satan comes at once and carries away ...
/c/carries.htm - 14k

Air (74 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and
the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. (KJV WBS). ...
/a/air.htm - 34k

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