Neville Goddard on Acts 23:17-22 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Acts 23 in context

Scripture Focus

17Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

19Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

22So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

Acts 23:17-22

Biblical Context

Paul uses a trusted young messenger to relay a dangerous disclosure to the Roman commander. The disclosure reveals a plot to kill him and the conspirators' oath, and the captain cautions secrecy.

Neville's Inner Vision

Permit this scene to be read as a movement within your own consciousness. The young man is not a boy apart from you but a new state of awareness you awaken and push toward the higher mind—the Chief Captain. Paul, the prisoner, represents your present self sitting under appearances, yet immediately after you 'call' this messenger, a private conclusion is formed in your I AM that a shadowy plot against your well-being is no more than a mental hesitation in need of counsel. The forty men bound by oath are your stubborn fears—knotty, insisting they will not relent until you are dead to your dreams. The Chief Captain taking the youth aside and asking, 'What is that thou hast to tell me?' is the moment your consciousness asks your own larger self for the truth. The instruction 'do not yield unto them' is your decision to refuse the fear-state and keep the truth within. By hearing and honoring the inner warning, you establish a guard of prudence, not resignation. Providence then moves through your inner arrangement, and the danger is averted as you remain centered in awareness.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes and assume the Chief Captain's authority; invite an inner messenger to reveal the truth that protects you. Feel the reality of this assurance now, and let the outer scene align to your renewed inner state.