491. The same things are signified by “sons” and “daughters” in this chapter (verses 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 26, 30), but such as is the church, such are the “sons and daughters” that is, such are the goods and truths; the truths and goods here spoken of are such as were distinctly perceived, because they are predicated of the Most Ancient Church, the principal and parent of all the other and succeeding churches.

4958. The reason 'hungering' means being led by affection to desire good is that in the internal sense 'bread' means the good of love and charity, while food in general means good, 2165, 2177, 3478, 4211, 4217, 4735. The reason 'thirsting' means being led by affection to desire truth is that wine and also water mean the truth of faith - wine, 1071, 1798, water, 2702. 'A stranger' means one who wishes to receive instruction, see 1463, 4444; and one who is 'naked' means a person who acknowledges that no good or truth at all exists within him, one who is 'sick' a person who acknowledges that evil is present within him, and one who is 'bound' or 'in prison' a person who acknowledges that falsity is present, as is evident from many places in the Word where such names are used.