Neville Goddard on John 18:19-24 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read John 18 in context

Scripture Focus

19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

John 18:19-24

Biblical Context

The text records a religious leader questioning Jesus about his followers and teaching, with Jesus claiming openness and urging the questioners to consult those who heard him. The clash— a strike and a call for witnesses—points to the inner trial where truth meets resistance.

Neville's Inner Vision

You are the I AM, the thinker of every thought; the high priest is the nagging habit of fear within you, challenging the truth you utter in the silence of your heart. 'I spake openly to the world' means your inner Christ speaks without concealment, wherever you stand—in the temple of your consciousness and in the world of your daily life. The world and the temple are inner settings where you attend to your beliefs. When the officer strikes, resistances of old thoughts lash out against your living conviction, not against a person. Jesus’ challenge—'If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?'—is a lesson in discernment: do not defend a hidden fear, simply bear witness to truth and let the counterfeit fall away. Annas handing him to Caiaphas symbolizes the shifting identity you release as you choose clarity over doubt, allowing your inner Jesus to be born anew in the next moment you choose to know the truth as you are.

Practice This Now

Assume the stance of the openly spoken truth within you now; imagine the listeners are those you value hearing your conviction, and feel the truth moving through you as if it has already been witnessed.