243. And white garments, that thou mayest be clothed. That this signifies genuine truths and intelligence therefrom, is evident from the signification of white garments, as being genuine truths; for garments signify truths (as may be seen above, n. 195), and white signifies what is genuine, and is said of truths (as may be seen also above, n. 196); and from the signification of to clothe as being to procure for oneself intelligence therefrom, for by means of genuine truths all intelligence is obtained; for the human understanding is formed to receive truths, therefore such as are the truths of which it is formed, such is its quality. It is believed that it is a matter of the understanding to be able to reason from thought and to speak from falsities, and to confirm them by many arguments; but this is not understanding, it is only a faculty given to man with the memory to which it is adjoined, and of which it is an activity. Nevertheless, the understanding is thereby born and formed, in proportion as man receives truths from affection; but to receive genuine truths from affection is not possible for any man, except from the Lord alone, because they are from Him. Consequently, to receive understanding, or to become intelligent, is imparted to man by the Lord alone, and to every one who applies himself to receive, according to what was said above (n. 239). This therefore is what is signified by, I counsel thee to buy of me white garments, that thou mayest be clothed.

123. That ye may be tried. That this signifies a consequent increase of the desire of truth, is evident from the signification of being tried, as being to be infested by falsities (concerning which see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 197, 198). Here, however, because it is said, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, by which that infestation is meant, therefore by being tried is signified increase of desire, and thence of truth, because this is effected by temptations. (That by temptations in which man conquers, there is brought about enlightenment and perception of truth and good, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia 8367, 8370; that hence is intelligence and wisdom, n. 8966, 8967: that truths increase in an immense degree after temptations, n. 6663, with many other particulars, which may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 187-201.)