2984. 'The field and the cave which was in it were made over' means that the Church and its faith.... This is clear from the meaning of 'the field' as the Church, dealt with above in 2969, 2971, and from the meaning of 'the cave' as faith, dealt with in 2935, 2971. The meaning 'the Church and its faith' is given here because the word 'Church' is predicable of the good of charity, and so of the good of life, while the word 'faith' is predicable of the truth that goes with that good.

2971. 'The field and the cave which was in it' means as regards the good and truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'the field' as the Church and also good itself which constitutes the Church (that which is celestial - or good that stems from love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbour - is compared to 'the ground' as well as to the field, and is actually called these, because that which is celestial - or good - is the recipient of the truths of faith; and these truths are compared to and are also actually called 'seeds'); and from the meaning of 'a cave' as the truth of faith which is enveloped in obscurity, dealt with in 2935. It is said to be in obscurity because it is with spiritual people, see 1043, 2708, 2715.