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The Tenth Lesson: The Secret Doctrine.1077
a very profound explanation of the parables, which Jesus delivered to ‘those
without’ while reserving the exhibition of their full meaning for those who
had passed beyond the stage of exoteric teaching, and who came to Him
privately in the house. And when he comes to understand it, he will admire
the reason why some are said to be ‘without’ and others ‘in the house.’”
(Origen against Celsus)
In the same work Origen considers the story of the Syria-Phœnician
woman (Matthew Chapter 15) and says concerning it: “And perhaps, also,
of the words of Jesus there are some loaves which it is possible to give to
the more rational, as to the children, only; and others as it were crumbs
from the great house and table of the well-born, which may be used by
some souls like dogs.” And, again, “He whose soul has, for a long time, been
conscious of no evil, especially since he yielded himself to the healing of
the Word, let such a one hear the doctrines which were spoken in private by
Jesus to His genuine disciples.” And, again, “But on these subjects much, and
that of a mystical kind, might be said: in keeping with which is the following:
‘It is good to keep close to the secret of a king,’ in order that the doctrine
of the entrance of souls into bodies may not be thrown before the common
understanding, nor what is holy given to the dogs, nor pearls be cast
before swine. For such a procedure would be impious, being equivalent
to a betrayal of the mysterious declaration of God’s wisdom. It is sufficient,
however, to represent in the style of a historic narrative what is intended
to convey a secret meaning in the garb of history, that those who have the
capacity may work out for themselves all that relates to the subject.”
He also says, in the same work: “If you come to the books written after
the time of Jesus, you will find that those multitudes of believers who hear
the parables are, as it were, ‘without,’ and worthy only of exoteric doctrines,
while the disciples learn in private the explanation of the parables. For,
privately, to His own disciples did Jesus open up all things, esteeming above
the multitudes those who desired to know His wisdom. And He promises to
those who believe on Him to send them wise men and scribes.”