Matthew 13:4 - Exposition

And when (as, Revised Version) he sowed, some seeds ( ἂ μέν ). Here (cf. Matthew 13:5 , Matthew 13:7 , Matthew 13:8 ) the seeds are, so to speak, each singled out. But in the parallel passages they are viewed as one whole ( ὃ μέν ). Fell by the wayside. Along the road ( παρὰ την ), which evidently was at no mere corner of the field, but ran for some distance by or through it. And the fowls ( birds, Revised Version, as in modern English) came and devoured them up.