2384. 'Both small and great' means in particular and in general. This is clear from the meaning of these words in the internal sense when used in reference to rational concepts and matters of doctrine deriving from these, meant by 'the men who were at the door of the house'. The relationship of particular things to general things is similar to that of 'small' to 'great' - particulars being like those that are 'small', and generals made up of particulars like those that are 'great'. What particular things are in comparison with general, and their inter-relationship, see 920, 1040, 1316.

2426. 'In case the evil clings to me and I die' means it would inevitably result in evil existing with him at the same time and that this being so he would be condemned. This is clear without explanation. What these words embody can be recognized from what has been stated and shown already in 301-303, 571, 582, 1001, 1327, 1328 - that the Lord is continually making provision to prevent the mixing together of evil with good. But to the extent a person is immersed in evil, he is further away from good. It is better to be immersed completely in evil than in evil and at the same time in good. For if a person is under the influence of evil and of good simultaneously he inevitably stands condemned for ever. It is the deceitful and the hypocritical within the Church who more than anybody else stand in danger of this. This then is the meaning in the internal sense of 'in case the evil clings to me and I die'.