Jesus tells us the field is the world which is the spiritually "dead"...the dust of the earth. Out of the world is the kingdom of heaven which consists of the wheat (the "living") and the tares (the son of perdition)..
Being "dead" is to be spiritually apart from God. We are "dead" in our sins before we are made "alive" unto God. We are in darkness until He calls us into His marvelous light.
(Rom 8:7 KJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(Rom 8:8 KJV) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(John 6:44 KJV) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
As it is said, he who has the Son of God has life and who doesn't, has not life. Jesus is the savior of the world not just a few. But, there is a timing for being the savior of all. First, the initial are brought to life now in this world. They are to "die" to the old man (to overcome the world and its lusts) and be resurrected into new life (a new creation) NOW in this world. The spiritually "dead" that are not chosen now are to be resurrected at the last day. They will be judged according to their works that are recorded in the books.
(Rev 20:12 KJV) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
God judges the "living" and the "dead" accordingly. For the ones who KNOW the Lord's will and prepare themselves, eternal life. For the ones that KNOW His will and prepare not, they will be beaten with many stripes. The spiritually "dead" who KNOW NOTHING of God and his will but have done things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Whom is given much? Anyone that God chooses to receive His knowledge of the truth. This knowledge can save our souls or if we love our unrighteousness (unwilling to heed the call and depart from the old man), will bring about judgement and fiery indignation to the enemies of God.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
God chooses us for the Holy Spirit by which we can crucify the deeds of the flesh and to live free from sin in this life and to receive a reward at the last day.. He has called the first group of people in this world for holiness and not uncleanness...to be called out of the darkness into the light and life of God. We are spiritually "dead" if we are not called....the whole world lies in darkness. The people who reject the truth after receiving it despise God.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Only God chooses a certain people in this life to reveal Himself through Christ and the rest of the "dead" will be resurrected into life with God later because Jesus is the savior of the world. The "dead" have lived their lives apart from God's Spirit and will be judged by their works which they have done in ignorance.
(Num 15:28 KJV) And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
All of mankind is spiritually "dead" to God until He reveals Himself in our spirits. Some in this life receive this enlightenment now as the firstfruits and the rest of mankind that is not chosen now will be resurrected into Life at the last day. They will be judged for what they have done but will LIVE in the life and knowledge of ?God. It is stated that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. This "death" is the separation of mankind from God and not the physical.
They (the "dead) will be judged by their works... they have lived in sin in ignorance of the truth of God. They will not be held accountable for holding the truth in unrighteousness because they never did receive the truth in their life times even though they may have heard many sermons and have read the bible 100 times. It is God who gives us faith to believe. We all are living in sin in ignorance until God chooses us for his Spirit and are washed by the blood of the Lamb.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
After we receive the truth and remission of sins ( that were committed in ignorance), we are to crucify the body of sin through the Spirit. If we continue to be unrighteous, we are without excuse . We know better because God has showed the truth to us..
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
It is God that writes His laws into our hearts and minds. He chooses a special people now in this world to receive it and to live it. We are a peculiar people, a holy nation, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. The "dead" who haven't received the truth can not please God nor can they praise God because they are still living in the carnality of their minds. They are not subject to the law of God nor can the be.