2430. 'Let me, I beg you, escape to it' means that from that small amount of truth it is permitted to regard good. This becomes clear from what comes before and after. It was said that 'he should escape to the mountain' by which is meant the good of love and charity, 2419, but he replied that he could not do so, but that he could escape 'to the city', by which is meant the truth of faith, 2428, thus that he could regard good from truth, or what amounts to the same, regard charity from faith. That city moreover was situated at the foot of the mountain, and from it he subsequently went up and dwelt on the mountain, though in a cave there, verse 30.

2428. 'Behold now, this city is near to flee to it' means that he would be allowed [to think and act] from the truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'a city' as doctrinal teaching, and so the truth of faith, dealt with in 402, 2268. It is said to be 'near' because truth is closely related to good. Consequently 'to flee to it' means that he would be allowed to do so from that truth because he would be unable to do so from good, 2422.