Neville Goddard on Acts 23:3-5 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Acts 23 in context

Scripture Focus

3Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

5Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Acts 23:3-5

Biblical Context

Paul rebukes a harsh external judgment and then corrects his perception, illustrating humility before authority and the hazard of speaking ill about others.

Neville's Inner Vision

Viewed through the Neville lens, the scene unfolds as a drama of states of consciousness. The 'high priest' and the 'whited wall' are inner faculties—your judgmental self and the mask you wear to prove you are right. 'God shall smite thee' is not a threat out there; it is the fear that arises when you believe your external judgments are binding on reality. The bystanders mirror the ego's chorus that clings to the letter of the law. When Paul says, 'I knew not that he was the high priest,' he awakens to a revision of perception, the awareness that authority is a projection of your present state. The remedy is to shift your consciousness: assume the inner ruler is benevolent, grant yourself humility, and speak with love rather than condemnation. Align with the I AM, let the living spirit write the law on your heart, and allow your inner reality to shape gentleness rather than judgment in your world.

Practice This Now

Assume the inner ruler state: declare, 'I am the ruler of my inner people,' revise any judgment as not final, and feel the I AM guiding your speech and perception.