3787. 'Water the flock, and go and pasture them' means instruction from these was nevertheless to be given to a few. This is clear from the meaning of 'watering the flock' as giving instruction from the Word, dealt with in 3772, and from the meaning of 'go and pasture them' as resulting life and teaching - 'going' meaning life, see 3335, 3690, and 'pasturing' teaching, 343, and in what is said below. The arcanum that lies hidden within is that there are a few people who do nevertheless reach a state that is complete, dealt with in 2636, and so are able to be regenerated.

3772. 'And water the flock' means that the doctrine was drawn from it. This is clear from the meaning of 'watering', or giving a drink, as giving instruction, dealt with in 3069, 3768, and from the meaning of 'the flock' as people who are governed by the goods and truths of faith, dealt with in 343, 3767. Thus 'watering it' means giving instruction from the Word, and therefore from doctrine.