3790. 'And we water the flock' means that at that point they receive instruction. This is clear from the meaning of 'watering the flock' as giving instruction, dealt with in 3772, 3787. These matters also are evident from what has gone before.

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.