Matthew 13:18-23(18) Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.(19) When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.(20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it;(21) Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.(22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.(23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.The missionfield is the world full of people some of whom for various reasons don't know that God loves them.The wayside is trampled down by the foot traffic of people who stay on the outer edge of the missionfield where all the preaching of the gospel is being done. The hardness of the wayside symbolises the hardness of the hearts where the word of God doesn't penetrate and Satan snatches it away.2Corinthians 4:3-6(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:(4) In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.(6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.