Note 3 at Lu 8:12: The first type of people that Jesus described are those who don't understand God's Word (Mt 13:19). Before God's Word can penetrate people's hearts, they have to understand (not comprehend) what it's saying. If the Word isn't understood, then it will be like seed scattered on top of hard-packed ground (the wayside). The birds will eat the seed, and there will be no fruit.

Mr 4:15 and this verse make it clear that these birds represent Satan, and Mark said the devil comes immediately to steal away the Word. Satan did not have direct access to the Word in any of the other types of hearts that Jesus described. Satan cannot steal the Word from people if they will hide it in their hearts (Ps 119:11). This first type of people simply heard the Word but didn't receive it. They never applied it to their lives, and so they lost it.

Notice that Luke linked belief and salvation with the Word being sown in our hearts in the same way as Ro 10:14-17. If there is no Word, there cannot be any belief or salvation (1Pe 1:23). We must preach the Word, not just morality or social issues.

Luke's use of the word "saved" could include, but is not necessarily limited to, forgiveness of sins. Salvation includes much more than forgiveness of sins (see note 2 at Mt 8:17 and note 32 at Mt 6:10). This verse could describe people who didn't receive the Word and, therefore, were eternally damned, or it could also be describing Christians who simply don't receive the Word in certain areas of their lives and, therefore, don't experience the victory that Jesus provided for them.