Arcana Coelestia # 3113
3113. 'And she said to him' means perception. This is clear from the meaning of 'saying', in historical narratives of the Word, as perceiving in the internal sense, often dealt with already.
Answer
Answering" in the Bible is often paired with "saying." In these cases generally it indicates a level of perception coupled with the receptivity. This means you not only accept what's coming to you from the Lord, but also see it and recognize the truth in it, and the fact that it will lead you to a better life.To "answer" generally indicates a state of spiritual receptivity. Ultimately this means being receptive to the Lord, who is constantly trying to pour true ideas and desires for good into our hearts and minds. It can also being receptive in the external parts of ourselves to the leading of the internal parts of ourselves – committing to making our actions follow our deeper beliefs.